Brewers Bolster Rotation with Acquisition of Frankie Montas
In a move aimed at solidifying their already formidable position atop the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are set to acquire veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. According to league sources, while neither team has officially confirmed the trade, the deal is imminent.
As part of the trade, the Brewers will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis to the Reds. This swap underscores the Brewers' push to fortify their pitching staff as they seek to maintain their six-game lead in the division. Montas, who is currently signed to a one-year, $16 million contract, brings with him both experience and some concerns over recent performance.
Montas, 31, has posted a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts this season, totaling 93 1/3 innings. Notably, his ERA has ballooned to 6.41, with opponents generating an .866 OPS against him across his last eight starts. During this stretch, he has averaged fewer than five innings per outing, indicating potential struggles with endurance or effectiveness deep into games. The Brewers are undoubtedly hopeful that Montas can find his form and provide consistency as they head into the critical final months of the season.
For the Reds, the trade signals a shift as they look to retool for the future. Sitting 4.5 games out of a postseason spot with a 51-55 record, Cincinnati appears willing to part ways with some of their rental players. The departure of Montas could be just the beginning, with relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson also rumored to be on the block. Additionally, there is talk of potentially moving second baseman Jonathan India.
Joey Wiemer, who is heading to Cincinnati as part of the trade, is a 25-year-old outfielder who hit .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs as a rookie in 2023. An alum of the University of Cincinnati, Wiemer will be returning to familiar territory as he looks to continue developing his promise at the major league level. Jakob Junis, who is also on a one-year contract, will add depth to the Reds' pitching rotation.
The Brewers' acquisition of Montas comes on the heels of a series of recent moves aimed at bolstering their roster. Earlier this month, Milwaukee traded for Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays, another strategic pickup to enhance their pitching. Additionally, the Brewers secured right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies, reflecting their aggressive approach in preparing for a postseason run.
The focus will now be on Montas to deliver the performance that has made him a valuable asset in the past. For the Brewers, this trade represents a calculated risk, one that balances the potential upside of Montas regaining his previous form against his recent struggles. It is a move that signals Milwaukee's commitment to pushing for a deep playoff run, with aspirations of not just division glory but also a potential World Series berth.
As for the Reds, this trade reaffirms their strategic pivot toward rebuilding and developing younger talent. By acquiring Wiemer and Junis, Cincinnati is looking to the future, hoping to find long-term contributors who can help them return to contention. The next few weeks will be telling as the Reds potentially offload more of their veteran rentals, setting the stage for a new chapter in the franchise's trajectory.
In an era where every game matters, both teams are playing their hands with the respective goals of immediate contention and longer-term development in mind. As the dust settles on this trade, the impact on both Milwaukee and Cincinnati will unfold, painting a clearer picture of how this deal shapes their seasons.