Civale Seeks Trade After Brewers Bullpen Move: What’s Next?

Aaron Civale, a seasoned MLB right-hander with the Milwaukee Brewers, finds himself at a career crossroads. For the first time in his seven-year pro journey, he’s moving from the starting rotation to the bullpen.

This shift follows the promotion of top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski. Civale disagrees with the decision and has asked for a trade through his agent, Jack Toffey, hoping to regain a starting role somewhere else.

As Civale prepares to adapt, the move stirs up questions about the Brewers’ pitching strategy. It also clouds his future with the team and, honestly, the rest of the 2023 MLB season.

The Brewers’ Pitching Shake-Up: What You Need to Know

The Brewers made a splash by promoting their top prospect, Jacob Misiorowski, to the starting rotation. This bumped Civale out—not because he pitched badly, but, according to his agent, due to a “subjective organizational choice.”

Civale’s 1-2 record and 4.91 ERA aren’t exactly stellar, but they didn’t scream for a demotion either. The team seems focused on the future, seeing Misiorowski as a big upside for Milwaukee.

The Brewers’ Current Rotation

Here’s what the Brewers’ rotation looks like now:

• Jacob Misiorowski
• Freddy Peralta
• José Quintana
• Quinn Priester
• Chad Patrick

This mix of veterans and young arms shifts the team’s approach toward growth. It’s a bold move, but it leaves Civale in the unfamiliar territory of relief pitching.

Aaron Civale’s Career and Preferences

Since his big league debut, Civale has built his rep as a steady starter. Except for two postseason relief outings, he’s started every regular-season game in both the majors and minors.

That kind of consistency highlights his skill set—and it’s no wonder he prefers to stay in the starter’s role.

Trade Request: A Professional Statement

The bullpen move comes right after Civale’s 30th birthday and with his contract set to expire at season’s end. It’s a pivotal year for him.

Civale signed a one-year, $8 million deal with Milwaukee after coming over from the Rays last July. He’s not bitter, even after requesting a trade. He just wants to start somewhere, whether it’s with the Brewers or another club.

He’s handled things with maturity and respect toward the organization. Civale says he’s ready to pitch out of the bullpen and could be available as soon as Saturday.

That willingness to adapt, even when it stings, says a lot about his team-first attitude.

Manager Pat Murphy’s Perspective

Brewers manager Pat Murphy spoke up with confidence, praising Civale’s professionalism and track record. Murphy doesn’t expect the change to shake up the team much or hurt Civale’s value.

Actually, Murphy thinks Civale’s consistency and attitude could make the bullpen even stronger. The Brewers still seem to value him, even if his role has shifted.

What’s Next for Civale and the Brewers?

Looking ahead, Civale’s path could go a few ways:

• If he thrives in the bullpen, maybe the Brewers rethink their rotation.
• A trade could land him back in a starter’s role somewhere else.
• Or he could finish the year as a reliable reliever and hit free agency, ready for a fresh start.

For Milwaukee, this move points to a focus on youth and development. Misiorowski’s rise comes with plenty of pressure—and maybe, just maybe, a big payoff.

Final Thoughts

Aaron Civale’s move to the bullpen isn’t just a logistical shift. It feels like one of those defining moments in his career, and you can sense the weight of it.

He’s always preferred starting, that much is obvious. Still, Civale’s maturity and flexibility might really stand out if he embraces a relief role.

Who knows? Maybe those qualities will make him a key piece for the Brewers—or maybe even for another MLB team soon.

For fans and teams, Civale’s transition from starter to reliever highlights how unpredictable baseball can be. Adaptability isn’t just helpful; it’s often the only way forward in this game.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Brewers’ Civale wants trade after ‘pen demotion