The Milwaukee Brewers are poised to make a significant move as they are set to acquire veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. This trade appears imminent, although neither team has officially confirmed the deal.
A Veteran Acquisition
Frankie Montas, a seasoned pitcher at 31 years old, is currently on a one-year, $16 million contract. Over the course of this season, he has struggled with a 5.01 ERA in 19 starts, covering 93 1/3 innings. Furthermore, his performance in the last eight starts has been particularly concerning, with a 6.41 ERA and an opponent's OPS of .866. During this stretch, Montas has averaged fewer than five innings per outing. Despite these challenges, the Brewers are betting on his experience to bolster their pitching staff.
Outgoing Talent
As part of the deal, the Brewers will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to Cincinnati. Wiemer, at 25 years old, had a challenging rookie season in 2023, slashing .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs. He brings youth and potential to the Reds' roster, along with a strong collegiate background as a University of Cincinnati alum.
Jakob Junis, also on a one-year deal, joins the Reds' pitching staff as they look to retool for the remainder of the season. This move aligns with Cincinnati’s strategy to remain flexible as they are open to moving their rental players. In addition to Montas, relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson, as well as second baseman Jonathan India, are all potential candidates to be traded.
Brewers Strengthening Pitching Roster
This acquisition is part of a broader strategy by the Brewers to strengthen their pitching roster. Earlier this month, Milwaukee acquired Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays. Additionally, they added right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies. These moves underline the Brewers' intention to bolster their bullpen as they aim to maintain their lead in the NL Central.
Reds' Current Position and Strategy
The Cincinnati Reds, with a 51-55 record, are currently 4.5 games out of a postseason spot. Their current standing signifies that while they are still in contention, they need to make strategic moves to either boost their chances this season or plan for the future. Moving rental players and getting valuable assets in return is a primary focus for the Reds’ front office.
The Brewers, on the other hand, are in a much stronger position with a 60-45 record, leading the NL Central by six games. This trade reflects their strategy to not just maintain but strengthen their commanding lead as they approach the critical stages of the season.
Looking Ahead
As both teams finalize their strategies for the remainder of the season, the upcoming trade of Frankie Montas highlights the dynamic nature of MLB team management. While the Brewers aim to solidify their rotation, the Reds are recalibrating their roster in hopes of staying competitive or building for upcoming seasons.
All eyes will now be on Milwaukee and Cincinnati to see how these moves pan out and how each team benefits from this significant trade. For the Brewers, the expectation is that Montas can find the form that previously made him a valuable pitcher. For the Reds, acquiring youthful talent like Wiemer and a reliable arm in Junis could pay dividends in the long term.
In a league where every game counts, such trades could be the deciding factor come the postseason. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as the trade deadline approaches and teams finalize their rosters.