MLB Trade Speculation: Jose Reyes and 5 Players Milwaukee Brewers Might Target
The 2011 MLB trade deadline is approaching fast; which players are the Milwaukee Brewers looking to pursue?
The Milwaukee Brewers need help.
Sitting at 15-20, fifth in the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers have once again proved to be anything but predictable.
After trading away three of their top prospects for dependable arms in Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum in the offseason, the Brewers have elected to go "all-in" for their 2011 campaign.
So far, expectations proved to be a bit too high.
Here are five players, however, that can aid in Milwaukee's quest for the World Series.
Alec Dopp is a featured columnist for the Milwaukee Brewers on Bleacher Report. You can follow him on twitter: @doppler9000, and check out his new Brewers beat blog, Brewers Rumors.
Mike Adams, RP, San Diego Padres
1 of 5
Why the Brewers Need Him
Lack of consistency in the bullpen.
Breakdown
The Milwaukee Brewers have vastly underachieved in 2011, and a lackluster bullpen occupied by unreliable arms isn't helping one bit.
John Axford, Takashi Saito and Sean Green are arguably Milwaukee's biggest liabilities in the bullpen, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them traded prior to the July 31 trade deadline.
If GM Doug Melvin wants production from his relievers, he must take to the trade market to bolster his underachieving group of hurlers.
A reliever with great command and consistency would be Mike Adams, San Diego's most reliable bullpen arm thus far in 2011.
Jamey Wright, RP, Seattle Mariners
2 of 5
Why the Brewers Need Him
Bullpen deficiencies.
Breakdown
It's no surprise how ineffective Milwaukee's bullpen has been thus far, but injuries have also played a role in the Brewers' woes on the mound.
An offseason pickup that looked to contribute on a consistent basis, Takashi Saito, was placed on the 15-day disabled list early on, severely handicapping an already shaky Brewers bullpen.
If the Brewers are looking to add a formidable arm to their bullpen, they should look no further than Jamey Wright.
Jonny Venters, LHP, Atlanta Braves
3 of 5
Why the Brewers Need Him
Lack of reliable bullpen arms.
Breakdown
Venters, 26, holds true to a one-year, $430,000 contract through 2011 and looks to be a serious potential pickup for the Brewers prior to the trade deadline.
This season, Venters boasts a 0.96 ERA with a 0.70 WHIP for an Atlanta bullpen on the rise.
Moreover, Venters' left-handed approach would make him a prime setup man for John Axford late in must-win games.
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Jeremey Affeldt, LHP, San Fransisco Giants
4 of 5
Why the Brewers Need Him
Bullpen woes, lack of left-handed relievers.
Breakdown
As the season progresses, GM Doug Melvin will be keying in on seasoned arms to help out his lagging bullpen.
By all accounts, Jeremy Affeldt fits the role perfectly for the Brewers.
At 31 years of age, Affeldt is as experienced a reliever as they come.
This season, Affeldt boasts a 3.29 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Not impressive, to say the least, but the Brewers can ill afford to be picky when it comes to bolstering their bullpen as they prepare for the stretch run already on its way.
Jose Reyes, SS, Mets
5 of 5
Why the Brewers Need Him
Yuniesky Betancourt's ineffectiveness.
Breakdown
On behalf of the entire Brewer fanbase, let me be the first to say Yuniesky Betancourt is neither the long-term nor the short-term, for that matter, answer for Ron Roenicke's crew at shortstop.
With a .245 BA, .275 OBP and a .345 slugging percentage, Betancourt has done nothing but limit an already underachieving Brewers offense.
So, for a plethora of inexplicable reasons, we feel GM Doug Melvin should target New York's very own Jose Reyes.
Not only is Reyes a solid, dependable force in the field, he also brings just the right attitude and style of play capable of gelling with Roenicke's aggressive nature on the basepaths.
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