Third base has been a problem spot for the Brewers lineup for years and years now. They just simply have not been able to find a consistent, long-term solution to the position. Despite that, the team has been incredibly successful over the last decade at making the postseason and seemingly every single year, third base is the one spot in the lineup the Brewers desperately need to fill.
They have addressed the position at the trade deadline in years past, almost always with a short-term, stopgap solution.
Following the trade of Caleb Durbin just before spring training, the left side of the Brewers infield was looking like a major problem area to upgrade once the deadline came around. The trio of David Hamilton, Luis Rengifo, and Joey Ortiz was underwhelming to say the least.
But in recent weeks, things have begun to turn around for the left side of the infield. The Brewers promoted Cooper Pratt, who was signed to a long-term extension shortly after the season began, to take over the shortstop job. He’s been a little hot and cold at the plate as he tries to get settled in, but he’s 21 years old and very clearly the future at the position, so there won’t be any shortstop upgrades at this deadline.
Pratt’s promotion pushed Joey Ortiz over to third base. Ortiz’s demotion off of shortstop was “like a ton of bricks off his shoulders” according to Pat Murphy.
Since June 27th, Ortiz is hitting .307 with four homers and an .883 OPS. He’s hit safely in 10 of his last 15 games.
He’s provided excellent defense at third, which isn’t surprising, but the way his bat has taken off has given the Brewers lineup enough of a boost that it’s no longer a black hole in the lineup. There is production coming from the bottom of that order now.
Now the million dollar question, of course, is how long will this hot streak last? How long can you depend on Ortiz staying at this level of production. If he stays at it, then the Brewers are golden. If he falls back, and that fall comes after the deadline and no additions are made, the Crew could be at a disadvantage the rest of the way.
The Brewers have a reputation for being prospect huggers and refusing to give away minor league talent for established big leaguers and rely on internal improvements. It is entirely possible the Brewers will continue to lean on Joey Ortiz to continue to play well at third, plus they should get David Hamilton back soon to help cover the hot corner.
Many will look at the season-long numbers for both and see a position that could stand to be upgraded. The best fit positionally and statistically might be Matt Shaw, but he plays for the Cubs and there’s practically no chance those two teams come together on a trade like that. Other than that, this market is largely devoid of corner infield impact bats that the Brewers could target.
If the Brewers want to make an infield upgrade, they’re going to have to get creative in terms of finding the player and even whatever player they find, it would be a marginal impact at best. Their best bet, might just be to ride the hot hand and continue to build the confidence of Joey Ortiz to man the hot corner. With the way he’s playing, it’s not their most pressing need.
The pressing need will be on the pitching staff, and with Ortiz’s recent success, that’s where Matt Arnold and Co. should look to address this roster in the coming days.
