General Manager David Stearns continues to dip his toe into the trade waters as the Milwaukee Brewers desperately cling to first place in the NL Central.
On Tuesday, Stearns went out and acquired right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak from the Chicago White Sox, just two weeks after bringing in southpaw Tyler Webb from New York.
RHP Anthony Swarzak has been officially acquired from the White Sox in exchange for OF Ryan Cordell. pic.twitter.com/xbPVXrU7d1
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 26, 2017
Milwaukee sent back Triple-A outfielder Ryan Cordell, who is now the number 18 prospect in the South Sider's farm system. Cordell, 25, batted .284/.349/.506 in 68 games with Colorado Springs.
Swarzak owns a 2.23 ERA in 48.1 innings this year, and should slot into a set-up role ahead of Brewers closer Corey Knebel. The 31-year-old is a pending free agent.
The Brewers deep crop of young outfielders allowed them to make Cordell expendable. Lewis Brinson, Corey Ray, Tristen Lutz, and Brett Phillips are all outfielders ahead of Cordell in Milwaukee's prospect rankings, and the team already has Ryan Braun and Domingo Santana entrenched in the corner spots at the major league level.
This trade gives Milwaukee an additional arm to upgrade its bullpen for the stretch run. The Brewers' relief staff ranks 19th in the majors with a 4.22 ERA.
Milwaukee is 0.5 games up on Chicago in the division. The Cubs are coming to Miller Park for a crucial three-game series this weekend.
