The Toronto Blue Jays have been “extensively scouting” the Milwaukee Brewers minor-league system as the July non-waiver trade deadline approaches, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Feinsand notes that impending free agent J.A. Happ — Toronto’s best trade chip — could be coveted by the Brewers, who entered Monday sitting atop the National League Central, with a half-game lead on the Chicago Cubs.
Milwaukee’s starting rotation ranks seventh in the NL with a 3.93 ERA. However, its 4.33 FIP is 11th out of 15 teams and could suggest that the team’s starting staff is overachieving.
The dependable Happ, who owns a 4.03 ERA and 9.64 K/9 rate across 102.2 innings, could add stability to any contending team. Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin leads the Brewers in WAR (1.5) but the club is without a true ace, as Jimmy Nelson is on the disabled list recovering from right shoulder surgery.
The Brewers farm system profiles as mid tier and took a hit with the winter deal that sent top prospects Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Isan Diaz to Miami for Christian Yelich.
Milwaukee currently has two prospects in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 rankings: second baseman Keston Hiura (No. 31) and right-hander Corbin Burnes (58).
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