The Milwaukee Brewers now face an unexpected roster dilemma after veteran starter Aaron Civale formally requested a trade following his move to the bullpen, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. The decision comes less than 24 hours after manager Pat Murphy acknowledged Civale was “not happy” about the role change—a development that could force Milwaukee’s front office to make a tough decision ahead of the trade deadline.
Why Civale Wants Out
The 30-year-old right-hander, acquired from the Rays last July, has been a reliable mid-rotation arm for the Brewers, posting a 3.84 ERA in 96 innings since the trade. However, with top prospect Jacob Misiorowski forcing his way into the majors (2.13 ERA, 31.6% K-rate in Triple-A), Milwaukee opted to shift Civale to relief—a role he has never filled in his professional career.
Civale’s agent, Jack Toffey, described discussions with the Brewers as “very professional” but emphasized that his client prefers to remain a starter, especially with free agency looming after this season. Given Civale’s recent performance—a 3.32 ERA over his last four starts—his stance is understandable. Relievers typically earn far less than starters in free agency, and a bullpen stint could hurt his market value.
Brewers’ Pitching Logjam
Just two months ago, Milwaukee’s rotation was in crisis due to injuries, prompting an early-April trade for Red Sox righty Quinn Priester. Since then, however, the staff has seen a remarkable turnaround:
- Chad Patrick (NL Rookie of the Year candidate)
- Logan Henderson (dominant before being optioned for depth reasons)
- DL Hall & Aaron Ashby (back from injury in multi-inning roles)
- Jose Quintana (healthy again after early-season struggles)
With Misiorowski’s promotion, the Brewers now have more viable starters than rotation spots—a luxury that has created an unavoidable crunch.
Trade Market Outlook
Civale’s $8 million salary (with about $4.65M remaining) and steady track record could make him an attractive trade candidate. Contenders in need of rotation help—such as the Mets, Padres, or Orioles—may view him as a cost-effective upgrade.
Key stats that could appeal to suitors:
- 4.06 career ERA in 122 starts
- 21.8% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate
- Strong post-trade performance (3.53 ERA in 14 starts with MIL in 2024)
Potential Fallout for Milwaukee
While some fans may view Civale’s request as premature, the reality is that both sides have valid perspectives:
- Civale wants to maximize his free-agent value.
- The Brewers must prioritize developing young arms like Misiorowski.
If Milwaukee honors the request, they could recoup a mid-tier prospect before the deadline. If not, they risk clubhouse tension and a disgruntled pitcher in a role he doesn’t want.
What’s Next?
With the July 30 trade deadline approaching, Civale’s situation adds another layer to Milwaukee’s roster strategy. Will the Brewers accommodate their veteran, or will they hold firm and hope he adjusts to relief? Either way, this development underscores the difficult balancing act of contending while managing player expectations.
