Milwaukee Brewers to Acquire Frankie Montas from Cincinnati Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers are on the verge of adding a significant piece to their pitching staff, as they are set to acquire veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. Sources within the league have indicated that the trade is imminent, though neither team has officially confirmed the deal.
The Brewers, currently maintaining a six-game lead in the NL Central with a 60-45 record, will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and righty Jakob Junis to the Reds in exchange for Montas. This move underscores Milwaukee’s aggressive approach to strengthening their roster as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Montas' Mixed Performance This Season
At 31 years old, Frankie Montas brings a mix of experience and current challenges to Milwaukee. He is currently on a one-year, $16 million contract. This season, Montas has posted a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts, spanning 93 1/3 innings. However, his recent form has been less than stellar, with a 6.41 ERA and a .866 opponent's OPS across his last eight starts. During this stretch, he has averaged fewer than five innings per outing, indicating some struggles in sustaining his performance deep into games.
Despite these numbers, the Brewers see potential value in Montas, perhaps banking on a return to form with a change in environment and under their coaching staff's guidance.
Brewers' Active Trade Season
This trade is part of a broader pattern of activity for the Brewers in the trade market. Earlier this month, Milwaukee acquired Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays, bolstering their starting rotation. Additionally, they added right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies, further strengthening their bullpen depth.
Who Are the Reds Getting?
In return, the Reds are set to receive Joey Wiemer and Jakob Junis. Wiemer, a 25-year-old outfielder and University of Cincinnati alum, showed potential in his rookie season in 2023. He slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs, displaying power but perhaps needing further development to improve his overall consistency at the plate.
Jakob Junis, like Montas, is on a one-year deal. His addition provides Cincinnati with another arm, potentially offering flexibility in both starting and relieving roles as the Reds navigate the remainder of their season.
Cincinnati's Strategy and Future Moves
The Reds, holding a 51-55 record and sitting 4.5 games out of a postseason spot, appear to be in a restructuring phase. Reports suggest that Cincinnati is open to moving several rental players, including relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson. There has been additional talk about potentially trading second baseman Jonathan India, which could signal a broader strategy shift as they look toward future seasons.
This approach suggests a recognition by the Reds’ front office of their current standing and the need to leverage the remaining value of their players to build a more competitive roster for the future.
Conclusion
This impending trade between the Brewers and the Reds reflects the dynamic nature of roster management in the MLB and the strategic moves teams make as they eye postseason contention or rebuild for the future. While Montas brings both experience and recent challenges to Milwaukee, the Brewers hope his acquisition will pay dividends in their quest for a deep playoff run. On the other hand, the Reds continue to position themselves for future success by acquiring promising talents and remaining open to further moves.