When Chicago Cubs traded for Jose Quintana, Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns came out and said that ‘We should not do a deal just because Chicago made one.’ That’s a true statement, and it still holds true today on the Major League Baseball trade deadline. Bad news for Milwaukee is Chicago keeps adding valued pieces. This time, they acquired left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and power bat Alex Avila. This deal is one that could sent Chicago over top, and Milwaukee does need to respond just not completely in for 2017.

Wilson and Avila are a dangerous combination to add to an emerging team. Frankly, they are two players Brewers could have used on their team, although, Ian Kinsler would have been the preferred batter. Wilson has been a good reliever this year allowing right-handers to only hit .131 against him this season and struck out 55 batters to only walking 16. If you want some hope, Brewers fans, Wilson surrendered five home runs which is a little higher than you want from a reliever. Avila ensures Cubs have a strong backup catcher/first basemen with a good bat from the left side. These are moves to put a team over the top in October.

So the question for Stearns and the team today is did Chicago do enough that renders a deal for Brewers meaningless? I’m not sure how you quanify that. Dan Straily’s name got brought for Milwaukee who is okay and would add some relief to the rotation even though he’s a pure flyballer. Sonny Gray would make a difference, but A’s want Lewis Brinson which is a no good for Brewers. To me, the only must is a bullpen arm. Jacob Barnes’ ERA is at 8 since the start of June, and Brewers need to keep stockpiling arms if they want to stay in this thing.

It should be an exciting deadline day with many deals through in the air. My prediction is there will be one mega ‘Holy shit’ deal, and the rest will be small ones.

Charlie.