In a significant mid-season move, the Milwaukee Brewers are poised to bolster their pitching staff by acquiring veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. The anticipated exchange, although not officially confirmed by either team, suggests that the Brewers will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis to Cincinnati.
Montas Joins Brewers
Frankie Montas, 31, brings a wealth of experience to Milwaukee. Currently on a one-year, $16 million contract, Montas has had a rocky season thus far. Over 19 starts, he's posted a 5.01 ERA, with his performance dipping further in recent outings. In his last eight starts, Montas has struggled with a 6.41 ERA and has allowed opponents an OPS of .866, averaging fewer than five innings per outing during this stretch.
Despite these challenges, the Brewers appear optimistic that Montas can return to form and provide much-needed depth to their rotation. Milwaukee, which currently holds a 60-45 record and maintains a six-game lead in the NL Central, has been actively tweaking their roster. Earlier this month, they acquired Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays and added right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies.
Brewers Eye Playoff Push
The move to secure Montas signals the Brewers' commitment to making a deep postseason run. "We believe Montas can give us valuable innings down the stretch," an unidentified source within the league mentioned, underscoring the urgency and importance of this acquisition for Milwaukee.
Joey Wiemer and Jakob Junis head to Cincinnati as part of the deal. Wiemer, a 25-year-old outfielder, slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs during his rookie campaign in 2023. Notably, Wiemer is an alum of the University of Cincinnati, making this a homecoming of sorts. Jakob Junis, also on a one-year deal, is expected to provide the Reds with additional depth either in the bullpen or the rotation.
Reds Position for Future
For the Reds, the decision to trade Montas comes as part of a broader strategy to move rental players and potentially retool for the future. Currently holding a 51-55 record and sitting 4.5 games out of a postseason spot, Cincinnati's management seems intent on maximizing the assets they can get for expiring contracts. In addition to Montas, the Reds are open to moving relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson, with some speculation around the potential trade of second baseman Jonathan India.
These moves align with Cincinnati's focus on rebuilding and developing talent for upcoming seasons. The inclusion of Wiemer and Junis provides the Reds with young, controllable assets that could be pivotal in their future plans.
As the trade deadline approaches, both the Brewers and Reds are making calculated moves aimed at achieving their respective goals. Milwaukee's pursuit of Montas underscores their determination to solidify their rotation, while Cincinnati's willingness to trade reflects a long-term vision for success. With the league sources indicating that the deal is imminent, fans on both sides will be eagerly awaiting official confirmation and ready to see how these changes will impact their teams' fortunes.