In a last-minute move before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired starting pitcher Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. The deal is not finalized yet but will involve outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis heading to Cincinnati. Montas, a 31-year-old with a 5.01 ERA in 19 starts this season, has the kind of pitching arsenal that the Brewers are looking for, including a fastball that averages 95.3 MPH and a splitter.
Despite being limited to just one appearance last season due to a shoulder injury, Montas signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Reds earlier this year. If the Brewers exercise their mutual option for 2025, they will be responsible for around $7 million in total for Montas. Montas was supposed to start against the Cubs on Tuesday, but the Brewers had not yet announced their starter for their game against the Braves. His addition to the roster will make him the 17th different pitcher to start a game for Milwaukee this season, tying a franchise record.
This trade comes as the Brewers have struggled with injuries in their starting rotation this season. Montas is the third pitcher that general manager Matt Arnold has acquired to help stabilize the rotation, following acquisitions of lefty Dallas Keuchel in a trade with Seattle and right-hander Aaron Civale in a deal with the Rays. While Keuchel only made three starts before being designated for assignment, Civale has had a 0-1 record with a 4.29 ERA in four starts for Milwaukee. Junis, meanwhile, has been a solid option out of the bullpen since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for 69 games.
For Wiemer, this trade marks a homecoming of sorts as he returns to Cincinnati, where he played college baseball before being drafted by the Brewers in 2020. Wiemer made his MLB debut last season and became an everyday starter due to an injury to fellow outfielder Garett Mitchell. In 132 games, he posted a .204/.283/.362 slash line with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. However, he has struggled in limited playing time this season, hitting just .154 with a .339 OPS in 19 games for the Brewers. At Triple-A Nashville, Wiemer has been more productive with a .242/.387/.358 line in 53 games.
The Brewers hope that Montas can provide a boost to their rotation as they look to solidify their pitching staff down the stretch. With mounting injuries and inconsistencies, Milwaukee is banking on Montas to help them stay competitive in the playoff race. As they enter the final stretch of the season, the Brewers are counting on their new acquisitions to help propel them to success in the postseason.
