MIL/CIN Trade

[Milwaukee Brewers]

The Brewers and Reds would like to announce a trade. 

The Brewers receive three prospects:

• Matt Thaiss, 1B, LAA
  
• Raimel Tapia, OF, COL
  
• Luis Ortiz, SP, MIL

The Reds receive:

• Byron Buxton, OF, MIN $0.54/$1.08/ARB1/ARB2/ARB3/UFA
  
• Bruce Rondon, RP, DET $0.85/ARB2/ARB3/UFA

Brewers reasoning:

It's no secret that team management had regretted the drafting of Buxton since it happened.  There was immediate buyer's remorse on the GM's part.  Buxton has done nothing but reinforce that regret with his performance thus far at the plate.  Luckily the Brewers had a little depth so the team can draw upon that to fill the hole left on the roster.  There's no doubt there's immense talent there as evidenced by last year's strong September, but a different franchise can be the one to wait for it. 

Rondon is a piece the Brewers didn't want to give up, but it was necessary to get the deal done.  He's had a rough start to this year, even getting sent down to the minors, but he had a career year last year and is sure to bounce back.

The Brewers are happy with the return of three very good prospects:

• Tapia got a cup of coffee in the big leagues last year and performed well. He's tearing the cover off the ball in the minors and has hit at every level. He has a chance to be a 20-20 guy playing in Colorado once his time comes. Given his history doing it with a .300 average isn't out of the question either. He is currently ranked as the #86 prospect by MLB and is #5 in the Colorado system.
  
• Thaiss is a bit father away but came close to both a .300 average and 1:1 K:BB ratio last year in the minors.  The Brewers have a long-term need at 1B and Thaiss very well could be the answer there.  He's just outside the top 100 prospects depending on where you look but is currently ranked #2 in the Angels system.
  
• Ortiz has an exciting arm and looks to build off a strong year in 2016.  He's currently ranked as the #58 prospect by MLB and is #4 in the Milwaukee system. 
  

Having the chance to get three top-five organizational prospects for a couple players who weren't playing an active role on the MLB roster was a no-brainer.  

Best of luck to the Reds with their side of the deal.

[Deleted]

My reasoning:

Buxton has all the talent in the world. I have a young roster that can compete now but WILL compete later. I'm hoping that Buxton figures everything out now, but if he doesn't I can hide him behind a healthy JBJ and wait patiently. If he lives up to his potential, I got the best player in the deal.

Rondon is a good piece, always liked him. Fat guy who throws hard, can never have enough of them. His attitude might be a problem, but oh well.


Giving up my three guys wasn't easy, as they were probably 3/5 of my top prospects, but I felt that I got the best player in the deal, so it made it worth it.

[Colorado Rockies]

Trade Committee approve 5-0