Proposed Trade Brings Milwaukee Brewers Much-Needed Help at First Base

The Milwaukee Brewers came up with a huge three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on the weekend to re-take first place in the NL Central Division.

But they also got some bad news, as slugging first baseman Rowdy Tellez broke a finger in a freak accident and will be out for a significantly longer period.

More unfortunate injury news for the Brewers: Rowdy Tellez broke the tip of his ring finger on his throwing hand before last night’s game shagging fly balls. Also required 17 stitches for a torn nail bed. He will be out 3-4 weeks minimum.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) July 16, 2023

Tellez is expected to be out at least a month.

Even when healthy this season, the lumbering veteran was only hitting .213 with a below-league-average OPS+ of 83. Their other first-sacker, Owen Miller, is a roughly-league-average hitter, with five homers and a .725 OPS.

CJ Cron to the Brewers is a perfect fit

If the Brewers are serious about being a contender the rest of the way, they need to upgrade their first base position. It seems almost criminal if they don't seriously inquire to the Colorado Rockies about CJ Cron.

As a free agent at the end of the season, there's no reason for the Rockies not to get some return for Cron on the trade market. The veteran slugger missed about six weeks with back spasms, but has been back in the lineup since late June.

This month, Cron is posting a .314 average with a .933 OPS along with three homers. Overall, this has been far from his best season, but he was an All-Star in 2022, and can bring a solid power bat to the Brewers' lineup. He can usually be counted on, when healthy, to hit long balls at close to a 30-HR pace.

And as a right-handed hitter, he could even platoon with Tellez once he returns from his finger surgery.

The return, given Cron's down season, wouldn't even be a top-level prospect.

The Brewers and Rockies need to make this happen. It's a natural fit.

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports