Brewers on the Brink of Acquiring Frankie Montas from Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers are poised to bolster their pitching staff with a significant trade, acquiring veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. Although neither team has officially confirmed the deal, sources within the league indicate that the trade is imminent.
In exchange for Montas, Milwaukee will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to Cincinnati. This move highlights the Brewers' strategy to strengthen their roster as they maintain a competitive position in the National League Central division.
Montas: A Mixed Bag This Season
Frankie Montas, currently 31 years old and in the midst of a one-year, $16 million contract, has had a challenging season. Over 19 starts, he has posted a 5.01 ERA in 93 1/3 innings of work. More concerning for the Brewers, Montas' performance has declined recently, evidenced by a 6.41 ERA and a .866 opponent's OPS in his last eight starts. During this period, he has averaged fewer than five innings per outing.
Despite these statistics, Milwaukee sees potential value in Montas' experience and ability to contribute down the stretch. The Brewers are clearly looking to reinforce their pitching rotation, having already acquired Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month and added right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies.
Brewers' Strategic Moves
These moves signal Milwaukee's intent to solidify their pitching depth as they navigate through the latter part of the season. With a 60-45 record and a six-game lead in the NL Central, the Brewers are keen to maintain their competitive edge.
Meanwhile, Joey Wiemer, who will be heading to Cincinnati as part of the trade, is a promising young outfielder. The 25-year-old slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs during his rookie campaign in 2023. An alum of the University of Cincinnati, Wiemer will aim to make an impact with his new team as they rebuild their roster.
Jakob Junis, also included in the deal, is on a one-year contract and will bring additional pitching depth to the Reds. As Cincinnati looks to the future, acquiring young talent like Wiemer and Junis could prove beneficial.
Reds Opt for Flexibility
The Cincinnati Reds, currently holding a 51-55 record and sitting 4.5 games out of a postseason spot, appear open to moving their rental players. In addition to Montas, the Reds are reportedly considering trades involving relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson. There's also speculation about the potential departure of second baseman Jonathan India.
This willingness to trade key players suggests Cincinnati is looking to retool and refocus its efforts on building a more competitive squad for the future.
Future Implications
As the league anticipates the official confirmation of the trade, the implications for both teams are significant. For Milwaukee, the acquisition of Montas, despite his recent struggles, could provide the necessary veteran presence to stabilize their rotation as they push for postseason success. The combination of Montas’ experience and past performance provides a calculated risk that the Brewers are willing to take.
For the Reds, bringing in young talents like Wiemer and Junis aligns with their broader strategy of developing a roster capable of long-term success. While trading away a seasoned pitcher like Montas might seem like a step back in the short term, the move could pay dividends in the seasons to come as the new acquisitions develop and contribute.
As the season progresses, the outcomes of such trades will undoubtedly be scrutinized by fans and analysts alike. Both teams are navigating their respective paths, with the Brewers looking towards immediate gains on their way to a postseason berth and the Reds planning for a future resurgence.
In the ever-competitive world of Major League Baseball, strategic moves like these demonstrate the delicate balancing act teams must perform between current performance and future potential. The coming weeks will reveal how this trade, once confirmed, will shape the narratives for both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds.