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The Milwaukee Brewers are at a crossroads with All-Star closer Trevor Megill, who is entering his final year of team control. The organization must decide whether to trade him now or retain him for one last run, mirroring past choices with hurlers like Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, and Corbin Burnes, or keeping him like Willy Adames.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan weighed in with a column highlighting 'perfect' moves for each playoff team, advocating for the Brewers to trade Megill. Passan wrote, 'And, in this case, that's trading players they don't intend to sign to long-term deals a year before they reach free agency.' He added that Milwaukee has no glaring needs, especially given their strong farm system, and with a thin market for elite relievers, the case for adding prospects is compelling.
This marks the second time this offseason that Passan has linked Megill to a potential trade. In early November, he reported that the Brewers 'will at least listen' to offers for the closer, and now he labels it the 'perfect' move while noting the team is expected to stick to its successful roster-building philosophy.
If Megill's time in Milwaukee ends this winter, he leaves behind a remarkable turnaround. He joined the Brewers before the 2023 season after stints with the Chicago Cubs in 2021 and Minnesota Twins in 2022, where he posted a 4.80 ERA in 39 appearances. With Milwaukee, he transformed his career, recording a 3.63 ERA in 31 outings in 2023 and improving each year. In 2026, he logged a 2.63 ERA in 63 appearances and secured the final out of the World Series.
Megill is a fierce competitor, but with one season remaining before free agency, the Brewers could net a significant return, similar to the haul they received for Devin Williams before the 2025 season. Milwaukee traded Williams to the New York Yankees for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin, and cash, later flipping Durbin in a deal for Kyle Harrison.
While it's early in the offseason, conversations about a Megill trade seem inevitable. The speculation surrounding him differs from that of William Contreras, who is also a year from free agency.
Key Analysis
The Brewers' decision on Megill reflects their strategic approach to roster management. By trading players before free agency, they aim to sustain long-term success through prospect acquisition. Megill's stellar performance and the scarce relief market make him a valuable asset, and Milwaukee could capitalize on that to further strengthen their farm system.