MLB trade rumors: Brewers shifting focus to Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar
The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the teams named as a Manny Machado suitor, but they may be changing their focus to a couple of Twins infielders.
In a case of one of these things is not like the others at first glance, the Milwaukee Brewers have been mentioned alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and even the Boston Red Sox as teams with some level of interest in trading for Manny Machado. The Brewers do belong, though, as they’re atop the NL Central trying to stay ahead of the Chicago Cubs.
When it’s all said and done, Milwaukee is an unlikely landing spot for Machado between now and the trade deadline. But the team may already be forming a contingency plan, as Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Brewers are engaging in trade talks with the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins have a couple of infielders the Brewers are rumored to be interested in.
Eduardo Escobar has been struggling lately, with a .160 batting average (12-for-75) and a .238 OBP over his last 21 games, but he’s still having a good season with a .272/.328/.517 slash-line, 14 home runs, 54 RBI and major league-leading 35 doubles. Add in position utility, at third base, shortstop and even second base, and Escobar is an appealing trade target for contending teams.
Source: #Brewers, #Twins have engaged in trade talks. For now, Milwaukee is more focused on the Minnesota infielders (Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier) than Lance Lynn, although the Brewers had talks with Lynn as a free agent last winter. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 11, 2018
Brian Dozier is having a down year, with a .229/.312/.420 slash-line. But he has a six-game hitting streak going (through Thursday), with a home run in three of his last four games. After putting together a great second half at the plate in both 2016 and 2017, Dozier seems to be getting a bit of an early start just in time to drive up his trade value.
Morosi’s report also mentions Twins starting pitcher Lance Lynn, who has a 5.22 ERA this season after his outing against the Royals on Thursday, as a target for the Brewers. He pitched well in May and June, with a 3.27 ERA over 10 starts, and his 4.12 ERA over his last 13 starts would be far better if not for allowing seven runs over 1.2 innings to the Cubs on July 1. Take out that rough outing in the Windy City heat and Lynn has a 3.27 ERA over his other dozen starts since May 5.
Related Story: 5 players the Minnesota Twins should move at the deadline
The Twins have won six of their last seven games, albeit against the Orioles and the Royals. So they are still a very good match as a trade deadline seller for the Brewers, who may be ready to make a move in the trade market.