The Milwaukee Brewers secured their first World Series championship by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in five games. Repeating in 2027 means protecting their foundation while addressing potential departures at first base, in the rotation and in the bullpen.
Three trades deserve consideration. The Brewers should pursue Alec Burleson, Joe Ryan, and Brennan Bernardino through deals that exchange selected depth for immediate help. The following packages are hypothetical proposals, not reported negotiations or established asking prices.
Brewers should trade for Alec Burleson to secure first base
Hypothetical trade 1
Brewers receive Alec Burleson
St. Louis Cardinals receive Kyle Harrison
Jake Bauers' free agency creates uncertainty at first base. Burleson, 27, would offer a left-handed replacement after hitting .279 with 26 home runs and an .816 OPS during the 2026 regular season.
Two remaining seasons of arbitration control would give Milwaukee time to develop Andrew Fischer, who finished at Double-A. Acquiring Burleson would reduce pressure to rush Fischer while allowing the Brewers to include Blake Burke in their proposed rotation trade.
The Cardinals would receive Kyle Harrison, 25, who recorded a 4.20 ERA with 141 strikeouts across 115 2/3 innings in 2026. Four remaining years of control would give St. Louis a younger rotation option whose timeline extends beyond Burleson's.
For St. Louis, the appeal would be exchanging two seasons of a productive hitter for four seasons of potential rotation help. Harrison's forearm tightness and uneven results make that a calculated risk, rather than an automatic bargain. The Cardinals could still prefer keeping Burleson, so Milwaukee should treat Harrison as its offer rather than assume the exchange meets an established asking price.
The Brewers would sacrifice inexpensive starting depth, making a separate rotation addition essential. Burleson would replace Andrew Vaughn if the next proposal materializes. His additional power and control offer a different profile, although home runs alone do not establish an offensive upgrade.
Brewers should acquire Joe Ryan to strengthen the rotation
Hypothetical trade 2
Brewers receive Joe Ryan
Minnesota Twins receive Andrew Vaughn and Blake Burke
Ryan, 30, finished the 2026 regular season with a 3.79 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 144 2/3 innings. He would replace Harrison while reinforcing a rotation facing Brandon Woodruff's free agency. His remaining control through 2027 would limit Milwaukee's commitment.
Minnesota has four veteran starters eligible for free agency after 2027 and uncertainty at first base. That combination supports exploring a pitching-for-offense exchange without assuming the Twins intend to rebuild.
Vaughn, 28, hit .306 with a .390 on-base percentage in 104 regular-season games. He would offer an immediate first-base option, while Burke would provide a potential successor after Vaughn reaches free agency following 2027.
Burke, 23, hit 34 minor league home runs with an .888 OPS and reached Triple-A. His power potential supplies the longer-term value Minnesota would seek beyond a straight exchange of players approaching free agency.
Their overlapping positions require a succession plan. The Twins would need to favor Vaughn over their existing first-base options and believe Burke can eventually claim the role. Otherwise, keeping Ryan or seeking a different return would make more sense.
For the Brewers, trading Burke sacrifices future inexpensive power. Ryan's late-season struggles and glute injury also warrant caution. His health must justify exchanging a productive hitter and a potential future regular for one season of pitching.
Brewers should add Brennan Bernardino for affordable bullpen depth
Hypothetical trade 3
Brewers receive Brennan Bernardino
Article Continues BelowColorado Rockies receive Coleman Crow
Bernardino would replenish left-handed relief depth if JoJo Romero leaves in free agency. The Rockies southpaw posted a 2.81 ERA across 64 innings in 2026, with 49 strikeouts and 15 walks.
Bernardino would give Milwaukee another left-handed bullpen option and more flexibility when assigning Aaron Ashby demanding innings. His remaining team control would also provide continuity beyond the 2027 season.
Colorado's incentive would be acquiring starting depth rather than retaining an older reliever through a transition period. Coleman Crow, 25, posted a 3.59 minor league ERA across 105 1/3 innings and could compete for opportunities.
Crow also recorded a 5.30 ERA in 18 2/3 major league innings and has a flexor-strain history. He offers a possible rotation contributor, not a guaranteed solution.
Bernardino remains controlled through 2029 and turns 35 in January. Colorado would exchange an older reliever for a younger starting candidate, while the Brewers would accept age-related risk and lose emergency rotation depth.
The financial case requires discipline. Milwaukee would add three arbitration-eligible players while moving Vaughn and two younger pitchers. The Brewers should evaluate the combined salary increase alongside the cost of replacing the starting depth they would surrender.
Minnesota declined Ryan’s $13 million mutual option for 2027, leaving him eligible for arbitration in his final season under team control.
Milwaukee should secure Ryan before surrendering Harrison and resolve first base before moving Vaughn. Together, the deals address three roles while retaining Fischer, but the Brewers must budget for both higher salaries and reduced starting depth. Each proposal should stand on its own merits.