Colorado Rockies trade talk: Milwaukee Brewers pitching trade partners?

The Milwaukee Brewers have gone on record saying they are looking for relief pitching as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Could that need make them a trade partner with the Colorado Rockies?

Here’s why the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies could be 2021 trade deadline partners.

On Sunday on MLB Network Radio, Milwaukee general manager Matt Arnold confirmed that his team was looking for relief help. Meanwhile, Colorado has a pair of relievers in Mychal Givens and Daniel Bard who have been mentioned as potential pieces of a trade as the July 30 deadline draws ever closer.

In 31 games this season, the right-handed Givens has posted a 2.73 ERA. Since the All-Star break, Givens has appeared in five games and thrown five innings, allowing five hits and allowing one earned run. He’s also walked two while striking out eight during that time period.

Acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Givens will become a free agent at the end of the season.

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Bard, meanwhile, has been Colorado’s closer over the last two season, including 2020 where he was named National League Comeback Player of the Year after he overcame the “yips” and returned to the mound for the first time since early in the 2013 season. In his two years with the Rockies, Bard has totaled 21 saves, including this season where he has posted a 3.98 ERA and finished 30 games (with 15 saves accumulated).

The 36-year-old right-hander is arbitration-eligible next season and not due to become a free agent until the 2023 season, meaning any team that would trade for him would be able to hang on to him next year as well. That, however, could result in a higher asking price from the Rockies.

Could either of these players fit into Milwaukee’s plans? Bard has pitched in four games this season against Milwaukee and Brewers batters hit .389 against him. Givens, meanwhile, didn’t face the Brewers this season as he was on the injured list with a lower back strain during both series.