Brewers Trade Deadline: Three Stars to Target (and One to Avoid)

The Milwaukee Brewers should be looking to make a splash this summer before making a playoff push.

Jun 19, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians during the sixth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers took care of business on Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds in unlikely fashion.

Milwaukee entered the contest after losing its last two games against the Chicago Cubs and five of its last 10 games. The Brewers clearly weren't happy, to the point that manager Pat Murphy talked about how the club was "pretty pissed" before the game, despite already winning 50 games. Plus, Murphy shared that he had a "get-together" with the position players before the game to go over recent struggles.

Things worked out on Monday. Milwaukee took down the Reds, 5-3, thanks to an eighth-inning two-run homer from Joey Ortiz. At the time, the score was knotted at three runs apiece. Ortiz's homer put Milwaukee over the top and it didn't look back.

Now, the Brewers are 51-31 on the season and have a 5 1/2-game lead over the second-place Chicago Cubs. While the team may not be happy with their play of late, this is a club that is very good and can do something special this season, especially if they use the upcoming trade deadline to add. Milwaukee's biggest need is a big bat. A high-leverage reliever wouldn't hurt, or a veteran starter. But a slugger should be the priority. With that being said, here are three potential trade chips the Brewers should pursue and one the club should avoid.

Pursue

Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros

Jun 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros don't seem likely to hold a major sell-off, but if they are willing to listen on Paredes, like they did this past offseason, he would be a dream target. He can play all over the infield and is under team control for one more season. He's the power bat to go try to get.

Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox

Jun 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Chapman has been among the best closers in baseball for a very long time. This season, he has a 2.19 ERA in 26 appearances. If the Brewers could get an arm like that, their bullpen would be unstoppable.

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws against New York Yankees during the third inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tigers have been bad all season and despite Skubal's return, they have not turned their season around. Skubal is going to be a free agent after the season and is worth a call. He's good enough to take the best rotation in baseball to an even higher level.

Avoid

Freddy Peralta, New York Mets

Jun 25, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Peralta was amazing in Milwaukee, but he isn't having a great season in New York with a 4.53 ERA in 17 starts. The Brewers got a good return for him in Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams. Giving talent back to New York for a few months of Peralta before he heads to free agency in a down year just doesn't make sense.