Milwaukee Brewers Open To Trading Outfielders Amid Depth Surplus

The Milwaukee Brewers have a good problem heading into the season: way too many outfielders for not enough spots. With a mix of top prospects, proven veterans, and some intriguing depth guys, the front office is now looking at trades—especially involving Isaac Collins and Blake Perkins—to fill a different hole: they want a flexible, optionable relief pitcher.

Brewers’ Outfield Picture: Depth Turning Into Trade Currency

The Brewers have quietly built one of baseball’s most dynamic young outfield groups. That much depth, though, creates a roster crunch, and Milwaukee seems ready to turn surplus into pitching help. That’s what playoff teams do these days, right?

Chourio and Frelick: The Untouchable Cornerstones

At the center of Milwaukee’s plans are Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick. They’re basically untouchable in trade talks.

Chourio’s ceiling is sky-high, and Frelick’s game is already polished. Two outfield spots are basically locked up for them.

Milwaukee’s logic isn’t hard to follow: you just don’t trade cost-controlled, near-ready stars who can anchor your lineup and defense for years.

Christian Yelich’s Role and Contract Reality

Christian Yelich is still a Brewer, not just for his bat, but because his contract makes a trade nearly impossible. He’s owed $84.5 million over the next three seasons, so he’s not going anywhere.

Milwaukee mostly sees Yelich as a primary designated hitter these days, with the occasional inning in left field. That keeps his bat in the order and helps him avoid the grind of everyday outfield work.

With Yelich mostly locked in at DH, there’s even less room for the others.

The Battle for the Final Outfield Spot

Chourio, Frelick, and a mostly DH-bound Yelich are set to get most of the playing time. That leaves just one outfield spot really up for grabs.

The competition—and the Brewers’ faith in one player’s health—will set the tone for trade talks.

Mitchell, Collins, Perkins: Three Players, One Job

The last outfield slot is a battle between Garrett Mitchell, Isaac Collins, and Blake Perkins. Brandon Lockridge and Akil Baddoo are around for depth.

Mitchell is the wild card here. He’s a high-end athlete who looks like a long-term answer in center, but injuries keep getting in his way.

If the Brewers trust his health, he’s probably the favorite to lock down center field.

Isaac Collins: Productive Bat, Positional Limits

Isaac Collins just finished a solid rookie year, hitting .263/.368/.411. He gets on base, makes contact, and can run a little, which makes him appealing—especially to teams that need offense and a corner outfielder.

The catch? Collins struggles in center, so his defensive value is limited. That probably narrows his role to the corners or a bat-first bench guy.

If the Brewers think Mitchell can hold down center, Collins becomes more expendable.

Blake Perkins: Defense, Versatility, and Trade Appeal

Blake Perkins brings something different. He’s a switch-hitter and a plus defender in center, giving managers the kind of flexibility they love.

His bat is just okay, but there’s real value in a glove-first center fielder who can track balls down and play late innings.

Perkins’ trade value might be higher than his stats suggest, mostly because the free-agent market is thin on true center fielders. Teams pay up for defense in center, and Perkins could easily draw interest if Milwaukee decides to move him.

What the Brewers Want in Return: Bullpen Flexibility

Milwaukee isn’t trying to clear out its outfield depth. They just want to rebalance things.

The goal is obvious: they’re after a relief pitcher with minor league options. That gives them the freedom to move arms between Triple-A and the majors without burning out the bullpen.

Mitchell’s Health as the Pivot Point

The Brewers’ internal read on Garrett Mitchell’s health and long-term outlook probably decides which outfielder they move next.

Milwaukee has a bit of leverage here. Turning extra outfielders into bullpen arms with options? That’s a tricky balance, but it could help them stay competitive now and keep a young core intact for the future.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Brewers Open To Trading From Outfield Depth