The Milwaukee Brewers are making moves to bolster their pitching staff, as they're set to acquire veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. According to sources within the league, the trade is imminent, though neither team has officially confirmed the deal.
A Trade in the Works
In exchange for Montas, the Brewers will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis to Cincinnati. This trade brings an experienced arm to Milwaukee, which might be seen as a win-now move considering Montas' recent performance on the field. Despite his struggles, the Brewers are betting on a rebound.
Montas, 31, is currently on a one-year, $16 million contract. This season, he has posted a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts, covering 93 1/3 innings. His recent form, however, has been less than stellar with a 6.41 ERA and a .866 opponent's OPS in his last eight starts, averaging fewer than five innings per outing during this stretch. Milwaukee hopes a change of scenery will help Montas find his form and bolster their pitching rotation in the heat of the playoff race.
Brewers' Strategic Moves
This acquisition follows a series of strategic moves by the Brewers aimed at solidifying their lineup for the postseason. Earlier this month, Milwaukee acquired Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays and added right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies.
The Brewers currently have a 60-45 record and hold a six-game lead in the NL Central. With these acquisitions, they are clearly focused on maintaining their lead and making a deep playoff run. Adding Montas, despite his recent struggles, could provide a critical boost as they aim to strengthen their rotation.
Cincinnati's Outlook
On the other side, the Cincinnati Reds, with a 51-55 record and sitting 4.5 games out of a postseason spot, are in a different position. Sending Montas to Milwaukee is indicative of their current strategy to move rental players, such as relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson. There is even talk about potentially moving second baseman Jonathan India.
In return, Cincinnati will receive outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitcher Jakob Junis. Wiemer, 25, slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs as a rookie in 2023 and is an alum of the University of Cincinnati. He could provide depth and potential for the Reds’ outfield. Junis, also on a one-year deal, will look to make an impact with Cincinnati as they build for the future.
A Calculated Risk
This trade involves calculated risks on both sides. For Milwaukee, betting on Montas' ability to turn his season around and contribute meaningfully down the stretch is a gamble they hope will pay off. For Cincinnati, gaining young talent like Wiemer and Junis offers promise for the future while giving up a veteran pitcher whose performance has dipped.
As the Brewers and Reds finalize the trade, fans on both sides will be watching closely to see how these new additions and subtractions play out on the field. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether this move was the spark the Brewers needed to solidify their postseason aspirations or a misfire that did not pay off as hoped.