Breaking MLB Trade: Brewers Acquire Starting Pitcher From Rays

Is this the start of a sell-off from the Tampa Bay Rays? The Milwaukee Brewers have bolstered their starting rotation by swinging a deal with the Rays for right-hander Aaron Civale.

The Rays are reportedly trading RHP Aaron Civale to the Brewers, per @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/hAnaOol7GA
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 3, 2024

For the Brewers, they get a head start on the trade market and lend a hand to their injury riddled rotation. Milwaukee is hoping they can recapture the 2023 edition of Civale, however, as this years version has a 5.07 ERA that is 33% worse than league average (ERA+ of 67). Last year, he had a 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with the Cleveland Guardians before he was dealt to Tampa, where he immediately began to struggle.

The 29-year-old is making $4.9 million this year, and is under team control for one more season.

It’s a chance the Brewers are comfortable taking at this point, as they attempt to do everything they can to safeguard against falling out of the top spot in the NL Central. They currently have a 6-game lead, but the St. Louis Cardinals are hard-charging.