The Milwaukee Brewers have finalized a trade to acquire catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays, delivering a hometown storyline remarkable even before the ball was thrown.
An Appleton West High School product roughly 90 miles north of Milwaukee, Jansen gets a rare homecoming as part of a deal that sends High-A infielder Jadher Areinamo and cash to Tampa Bay. The Brewers also designated backup catcher Eric Haase for assignment to make room on the roster.
Jansen joins the Brewers’ catching mix behind starter William Contreras, who has been playing through a fractured middle finger and seeing his offensive numbers dip. Jansen’s depth could give Contreras much-needed rest and give Milwaukee more flexibility in managing their catching corps in the final stretch.
A Defense‑First Catcher with Power Flashes
A former Toronto Blue Jays draft pick from 2013, Jansen made his major league debut in 2018 and has since split time between Toronto, Boston (briefly), and Tampa Bay. While he’s never been a standout bat, he’s recognized for his pitch-framing skills and defensive acumen. This season, Jansen hit .204 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs over 73 games, a performance that belies a stronger second-half surge.
Previously, Jansen had his most productive offensive season in 2022 with the Blue Jays, slashing .260/.339/.516 with 15 homers in limited action. Despite recent framing struggles, his overall defensive reputation remains solid, and the Brewers have a track record of improving their catchers’ framing metrics.
Why the Brewers Made the Move
Milwaukee’s catching depth has been tested all season. Contreras has started 87 of the team’s first 105 games behind the plate, despite playing through a finger injury that hit his offense. Meanwhile, Haase has delivered minimal production in both at-bats and defensive value, batting just .228/.294/.289 recently.
By adding Jansen, the Brewers aim to relieve pressure on Contreras and potentially reinvigorate their defense behind the plate. It also gives them the flexibility to rest key players down the stretch or experiment with platoon options without sacrificing depth.
Jansen’s ability to handle a pitching staff and perform in high-leverage situations brings steady value even if his bat is inconsistent.
Milwaukee sits atop the NL Central and is eyeing the postseason. As September nears, having multiple backstops who can share innings, or step in if injury strikes, is a luxury the current roster sorely needed. Jansen’s familiarity with Wisconsin and steady baseline output might provide that margin of safety in a tight playoff race.
Areinamo Heads Out in Prospect Exchange
The Rays receive 21-year-old infielder Areinamo–Milwaukee’s No. 24 prospect and a consistent performer at High-A Wisconsin. Areinamo has hit .297/.355/.463 with 11 homers and 15 steals this season while showing positional versatility across the infield. He provides Tampa with a high-upside piece aligned with their youth-driven roster strategy.
Tampa Bay has simultaneously been working to trim salary and open lineup opportunities at catcher, including targeting Nick Fortes from Miami. By moving on from Jansen and acquiring a controllable, younger catcher, they’re retooling the position with an eye on the future.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Brewers Acquire Veteran Catcher from Rays Before Deadline appeared first on Heavy Sports.