Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Milwaukee Brewers, currently leading their division, made a strategic move to address their starting rotation needs by acquiring right-hander Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays. This transaction comes just ahead of the impending July 30 trade deadline, providing the Brewers with a boost to their pitching staff which has struggled in terms of innings pitched.
Civale, 29, brings a 5.07 ERA in 17 starts to the Brewers, offering an option that won’t hit free agency until 2026. With the Brewers having already used 15 different starting pitchers this season, Civale’s addition aims to provide stability to a rotation that includes top pitcher Freddy Peralta among others.
In exchange for Civale, the Rays received minor-league infielder Gregory Barrios. The move allows the Rays to address other areas of depth, with pitchers Jeffrey Springs and Shane Baz nearing a return from injury. Reports suggest that Civale was a likely candidate to be moved by the Rays.
Barrios, 20, joins the Rays’ organization, showcasing promise with improved contact skills and strong defensive abilities. Although struggling against Low-A pitching in the past, Barrios’ development at High-A has seen a significant improvement in his offensive performance.
Overall, the acquisition of Civale by the Brewers and Barrios by the Rays illustrates strategic roster adjustments by both teams as they navigate through the MLB season towards the trade deadline. The transaction not only aims to strengthen the current roster of each team but also signals a willingness to make bold moves to enhance their competitiveness in the league.