Brewers Trade Rumors: Stearns Looking to Add Centerfielder

The Winter Meetings officially began today in Nashville and the hot stove is already burning as there were plenty of moves around the league. The Brewers have yet to make any big splashes, though there have already been rumors surrounding Adam Lind and Jonathan Lucroy. We do know, however, that Slingin' David Stearns is hoping to make an addition at a specific position on the diamond.

Stearns indicated the Brewers are looking pretty hard at CF options. A Trades, free agents all on the table.

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) December 7, 2015

We've already discussed Austin Jackson. Another player who recently became available is Craig Gentry, who was let go recently by the Athletics after a rough season in 2015 that saw him post a .396 OPS in 56 plate appearances. He's never been that much of an offensive threat, though his production in 2015 was a signifcant drop-off from his career .265/.338/.339 slash in 1077 plate appearances. The 31 year old comes with a sterling defensive reputation, however, and has 40 defensive runs saved in 1860 career innings in center.

The team could always go the trade route as well, perhaps targeting an MLB-ready player capable of handling center field duty in the near-term while Brett Phillips perfects his craft at AAA in 2016. The Rule 5 is another option, and it so happens that CF Teoscar Hernandez from Stearns' old organization down in Houston happens to be one of the top talents available (more on that tomorrow).

This news could be foreshadowing further moves for the Brewers this week. The team as currently constructed has three starting corner outfielders in Ryan Braun, Domingo Santana, and Khris Davis. It appears that Stearns is not willing to open next season with Domingo Santana as the starting centerfielder so there probably won't be enough at-bats to go around between those three players. Khris Davis is the most logical trade candidate among the trio, and we've already profiled him as a trade asset.