It appears the Milwaukee Brewers are on the verge of making a significant roster move, set to bring in veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. The deal will reportedly see the Brewers part ways with promising young outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis.
While neither the Brewers nor Reds have officially confirmed the transaction, sources within the league suggest that the swap is imminent. If finalized, it would mark another notable addition for Milwaukee this month, following acquisitions of Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays and right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies.
Frankie Montas’ Current Performance
The 31-year-old Montas, currently on a one-year, $16 million contract, has experienced a turbulent season. He has posted a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts, covering 93 1/3 innings. Montas' recent form has been particularly troubling, with a 6.41 ERA and a .866 opponent's OPS in his last eight starts. During this stretch, he has struggled to go deep into games, averaging fewer than five innings per outing.
Despite these struggles, the Brewers are banking on Montas' potential to bolster their rotation as they vie for playoff positioning. The Brewers, holding a 60-45 record and maintaining a six-game lead in the NL Central, are clearly in a win-now mode and view Montas as an important piece in their postseason push.
Outfielder Joey Wiemer’s Rookie Season
Joey Wiemer, 25, has shown flashes of potential in his rookie campaign. He has slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs in 2023. A University of Cincinnati alum, Wiemer’s performance thus far hints at a bright future, albeit with room for development. The Reds will hope that a return to his collegiate hometown might unlock further potential in him.
Details on Jakob Junis
Jakob Junis, the other player heading to Cincinnati, is also working on a one-year deal. His addition will give the Reds a versatile arm as they navigate the remaining months of the season.
Cincinnati’s Perspective
For the Reds, this trade signals a willingness to move rental players as they sit four and a half games out of a postseason spot with a 51-55 record. The possible departure of Montas fits into a broader strategy that could also see relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson moved. There is even talk about potentially parting ways with second baseman Jonathan India.
Such moves indicate that the Reds are looking to the future, hoping to gather pieces that will contribute in the coming seasons rather than clinging to their slim playoff hopes this year.
Overall, this potential trade encapsulates the different trajectories of two franchises. The Brewers are bolstering their roster for a deep postseason run while the Reds appear to be gearing up for a more significant restructuring aimed at long-term success. The acquisition of Montas, if confirmed, would be a statement of intent from Milwaukee, showing that they are not willing to rest on their laurels despite their comfortable lead in the NL Central.