On Friday, the Milwaukee Brewers announced they acquired catcher Jacob Nottingham in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
The Brewers also received minor league pitcher Bubba Derby in a deal that sent outfielder Khris Davis to Oakland.
While a Friday evening trade involving a trio of players with limited MLB experience doesn’t seem to be a headliner at face value, Nottingham’s addition could be big for the Brewers.
As Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indicated, Nottingham will likely be the long-term replacement for Jonathan Lucroy when the team eventually deals the former All-Star:
Lucroy will likely be the next prominent chip the Brewers deal as part of their massive rebuild that’s seen the team trade staples Francisco Rodriguez and Adam Lind in an effort to get younger and more affordable.
The move comes on the heels of a 68-94 campaign that came a season after the team sat in first place all year until a September meltdown.
The Brewers have made nine trades since hiring new general manager David Stearns in September, and Nottingham has ties to Stearns dating back to their tenures with the Houston Astros.
A 6’3”, 250-pound brute, Nottingham turned down a baseball scholarship to play football at Arizona, per Haudricourt, and will give the Brewers power at a position where strength is scarce.
Nottingham, who will turn 21 in April, will be a non-roster invite to the Brewers’ big league spring training camp, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
The Brewers’ next few seasons could be ugly, as they’ve dealt a slew of their core talent in exchange for prospects, but Nottingham’s addition gives them something to look forward to in the future.
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