Milwaukee Brewers acquire Brad Miller from Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ji-Man Choi

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that the team is sending 1B/OF Ji-Man Choi to the Tampa Bay Rays for IF Brad Miller.

Miller was designated for assignment on June 7. Since then, it has made since for the Brewers to get involved in a deal. Milwaukee has carried a weak infield since the beginning of the season. Eric Sogard and Hernan Perez have taken a fair number at-bats there, while the Crew has seen below-average production from starting shortstop Orlando Arcia. All things considered, Jonathan Villar has actually had a fine season.

In 2018, Miller is hitting just .256/.322/.429. He’s played primarily at first, but is truly a second baseman. Miller can also handle short, third and some of the outfield position in a pinch. As Kyle pointed out earlier this week, Miller’s production has actually been very good and he could jumpstart the offense at second base or shortstop, where Orlando Arcia continues to struggle.

Ji-Man Choi has also been incredibly productive this season. But with Eric Thames coming back and Jesus Aguilar having one of the best seasons on the entire team, there is no room for Choi. A foreign website stated earlier this week that Choi actually had asked to be brought up from AAA or traded. The Crew then used Choi regularly at DH in series against the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians. Choi even got to play hero after he smacked a go-ahead grand slam in a pinch hit appearance against the Phillies yesterday.

Miller will start his Brewers career with the Sky Sox. It should only be a matter of time before he replaces Eric Sogard or Hernan Perez (likely the former) on the roster and starts contributing for Milwaukee. The Brewers could even opt to send Arcia back down and let him work through his issues in Colorado Springs.