The division-leading Milwaukee Brewers struck early to bolster a glaring need in their starting rotation by acquiring right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league infielder Gregory Barrios, a league source confirmed to The Athletics.
The move, first reported by the New York Post, comes nearly a month before the July 30 trade deadline and gives the Brewers (51-35) a boost to a starting rotation that is near the bottom in innings pitched.
Meanwhile, the Rays added by trading from an area of depth. With Jeffrey Springs and Shane Baz nearing their return from injury, The Athletics recently reported that the Rays would be open to selling some of their starting pitchers, and that Civale would be one of the players most likely to be traded.
Civale, 29, has a 5.07 ERA in 17 starts. He won’t be a free agent until 2026 and is earning $4.9 million this year.
The Brewers have used 15 different starting pitchers this season. Milwaukee’s rotation before Civale was added included Freddy Peralta, Bryse Wilson, Colin Rea, Tobias Myers and Dallas Keuchel (who they recently acquired). Of that list, only Peralta — the club’s best pitcher — has been a mainstay for the Brewers during this recent struggle.
Club officials have been encouraged by Myers, and the team has used openers to protect Wilson and Rea. While Milwaukee saw their approach to their pitching staff as sustainable, they clearly needed reinforcements as well.
Barrios, 20, landed just outside Keith Law’s Top 20 rankings of Brewers prospects. A native of Venezuela, Barrios struggled against Low-A pitching last season, but is hitting .317/.361/.423 in High-A this season. Offensively, Barrios has shown improved contact skills, which has led to better results. Scouts also called Barrios a “special defender” who has a knack for making flashy plays.
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(Photo of Aaron Civale pitching last month: Charles LeClaire/USA Today)