The Blue Jays and Brewers could line up as perfect trade partners this winter

Heading into the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays have multiple areas that they need to address in preparation for 2025. One of those areas happens to be their newly-created infield logjam situation, after having various players perform admirably this past season. The likes of Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, Leo Jiménez, Davis Schneider, Addison Barger and Will Wagner have all shown their worth, giving the Blue Jays a glut of capable infielders heading into next season. Not to mention, there is also top prospect Orelvis Martinez waiting in the wings.

With the sudden luxury of riches, what better way to resolve the infield logjam than to capitalize on it using the trade route. With that in mind, the Milwaukee Brewers could become ideal trade partners with the Jays this winter. That is because one of their key players from the past four seasons in Willy Adames will be hitting the free agent market this upcoming offseason.

In 2024, Adames happened to choose the best possible time to post his best numbers of his career, registering career highs in runs scored (93), hits (153), doubles (33), home runs (32), RBI (112), stolen bases (21), walks (74) and total bases (282). In doing so, he has priced himself out of town for a small market Brewers’ team. That is because Adames will likely land a huge contract, given the lack of quality options at shortstop in the upcoming free agency.

With Milwaukee infielders Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz capable of playing at second, third and shortstop, the Brewers will need one more infielder that could play at one of those positions to replace Adames for the 2025 season. That is where the Jays could play a role in meeting their needs with their excess number of infielders. The Brewers would want to replace some of the lost offense with the departure of Adames, so they would likely look for a piece that could have the greatest offensive potential. As a result, that would make Horwitz, Schneider or Wagner their likely target.

In return, the Jays could look to the Brewers for pitching help, in particular to help fix their battered bullpen. There’s no doubt that elite closer Devin Williams is off limits, but for someone like young Aaron Ashby, it could be an intriguing option worth investigating for the Jays. After putting together a couple of respectable seasons with the Brewers in the capacity as both a starter and reliever in 2021 and 2022, Ashby had struggled mightily in their minor league system for almost the past year and a half. However, since returning to the majors to serve mainly as a reliever in final two months of 2024, he was dominant, posting a stellar 1.37 ERA, 0.76 WHIP with 3 walks and 28 strikeouts in just 19.2 innings pitched in 12 relief appearances.

With Ashby appearing to have rediscovered his game, he would be an ideal fit for the Jays. He also happens to be a lefty, which the Jays’ bullpen severely lack heading into next year. Added to the fact that he could also be stretched out to be a starter if needed, Ashby could potentially be the next Ross Stripling for Toronto, giving them the extra flexibility in his deployment.

As a result, it just makes too much sense for both the Jays and Brewers to work out a deal this offseason to help fill their respective needs. There’s nothing better than a win-win situations for both clubs involved.