This past trade deadline as not only Brewers fans, but baseball fans alike, felt… frustrating, and perhaps even controversial. But at the same time, thinking about how the Brewers got to the point they are today with the product they have on the field, they certainly wouldn’t be there if they traded away their farm system every chance they got. Which can be the frustrating part, no doubt.
Based on the reaction that I’ve seen on social media, it feels like fans believe they swung and missed in terms of who they could’ve brought to the team. When I look at it, I agree with that narrative as well. But, looking back at what the Brewers have done in the past, where does this year’s trade deadline compare to others? We’re going to break that down in today’s deep dive.
Of course, you have your good years at the deadlines, and the sad years where everyone was traded away. Fortunately, it feels like Brewers fans have only had to experience one sad trade deadline over the last decade. Now, every fan is different, so all of this is strictly based on opinion, not fact.
Now, this trade didn’t necessarily happen at the trade deadline, but it was in July, so we’ll count it. Plus, it’s perhaps the most notable trade in franchise history, especially with what ultimately transpired. On July 7, 2008, the Indians sent CC Sabathia to the Brewers, and the return was Zach Jackson, Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, and a player to be named later, who later became five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner Michael Brantley.
As most of us know, Sabathia led the charge for the Brewers as they clinched the playoffs later that season for the first time in over 20 years, with a top 10 finish in both MVP and Cy Young voting. There was one other trade that happened that deadline, as the Brewers acquired Ray Durham from the San Francisco Giants, who became a solid bat for the team in what was his final season in baseball.
Nothing will be what the 2008 trade deadline did for the Brewers, but the 2018 trade deadline might be a close second. This was the perfect combination of adding a couple of big bats and arms with veteran leadership that had been there and done that. The trade that started it all was on July 26 as the Brewers traded a pair of prospects for Joakim Soria, who was in the midst of a great season late in his career. At that point in the season, he had racked up 16 saves with the Chicago White Sox with a sub-3.00 ERA.
A day later, reigning World Series champion and three-time All-Star Mike Moustakas was acquired from the Kansas City Royals for Brett Phillips and Jorge López. In a season and a half with the Crew, Moustakas earned an All-Star selection and delivered a memorable walk-off base hit in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Colorado Rockies.
Trying to capitalize on a fantastic start to summer, the Brewers traded for second baseman Jonathan Schoop of the Baltimore Orioles. Schoop wound up being one of the biggest disappointments at the trade deadline as he batted .202 with just four home runs and 21 RBIs; however, he did hit a grand slam off Madison Bumgarner and the Giants.
Finally, these last two trades happened in the month of August, something you don’t see a ton anymore these days. The Brewers acquired both Gio González and Curtis Granderson. González came in and pitched out of the bullpen that year and dominated in what was a much-needed pickup down the stretch. As for Granderson, who was perhaps one of the biggest clubhouse players that year, he was also a great bench bat down the stretch and into the playoffs. He also very nearly hit a home run against the Dodgers in the NLCS that would’ve put them on top.
The last trade deadline that we’ll take a look at in terms of the happy side of it all was the 2021 season, which, up until recently, was one of the best seasons in Brewer history. Although it happened a little over a month into the season, the Brewers traded for Willy Adames, who desperately needed a change of scenery as things weren’t working out in Tampa Bay with the Rays. Once traded, he saw his batting average jump nearly 100 points as he smashed 20 home runs and 26 doubles.
Later in the summer, the Brewers made a big splash by acquiring Eduardo Escobar. After being nominated to the All-Star team that summer as a member of the Diamondbacks, he came to the Brewers and somehow produced even better, even though it didn’t feel like it at times, as he drove in 25 runs and slugged six homers. Needing to add to the pitching staff, the Crew added Daniel Norris and John Curtiss. The trade for Norris has gone down as maybe one of the biggest whoopsies in recent history, as Reese Olson quickly rose through the ranks of the Detroit Tigers and became a starter for them. On the other side, only trading away Payton Henry, Curtiss appeared in just six games for the Brewers, as he was quickly injured and didn’t compete the following season either.
In a (far too early) look back at this year’s trade deadline, some may call it underwhelming, but knowing what our pitching lab has been able to do in the past, it could change a lot of opinions. The Brewers acquired three pitchers, all of whom have had solid seasons.
We’ve seen two of these pitchers debut already; Antonio Senzatela pitched in the first two games he wore a Brewers uniform and has dominated, as he has held the Pirates scoreless across 1 1/3 innings with just a walk allowed. On Thursday, we saw Dustin May deliver a much-needed six-inning performance where he struck out five batters and allowed just two runs. The bats will figure it out, but the pitching is what will be needed the most when it comes to postseason play, especially against the Dodgers.
