The Reds Trade a Division Rival

It’s trade deadline day, and we can expect several more Reds moves, we could imagine. Last night, right before the game against the Chicago Cubs completed, Mark Feisand of MLB.com reported the Cincinnati Reds were in agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers to trade RHP SP Frankie Montas to Wisconsin. We were a little surprised, all of us, to see what the Reds got back for a guy who, let’s face it, was not very good for us & expiring/expensive, so we’re rather happy with this, even though we hate Milwaukee.

Frankie Montas Is Headed To Milwaukee

The Frankie Montas era has completed in Cincinnati (for 2024, at least.) He ended his Reds tenure with a 5.01 ERA, 4.91 FIP, 85 ERA+, & averaged 9 hits per 9 innings, 4 walks per 9, and only 7.5 Ks per 9. He had a 41:78 BB:K, gave up 14 homers in 93.1 innings pitched. He was healthy for the most part, but he’ll tell you himself: it was a disappointing go at it in 2024. So what did we end up getting back for him? We got a few familiar faces.

OF Joey Wiemer – Cincinnati Bearcat

If you started watching the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, you remember this guy well. If he wasn’t hitting an absolute bomb that put a dagger in our gut in ’23, he was robbing Elly De La Cruz of a homer that ended up saving them (Brewers) the game. This one comes as bit of a surprise, even though it’s known if you’re trading in division, it better be a haul. Considering Montas only signed a 1 year deal with a mutual option for ’25, this is impressive getting a former top 100 prospect in Joey Wiemer who won’t be a Free Agent until 2029.

It was just reported by Charlie Goldsmith that as of right now, Joey Wiemer will report to AAA Louisville Bats to start off his Reds tenure. Joey Wiemer is known for his speed, arm, & his defensive abilities in the outfield. He also has some big time strength and hit 13 HRs in 2023 in the big leagues. He had 32 extra base hits last year for the Brewers in 336 plate appearances. We can call it what it is: a reclamation project for a guy that was ranked as high as baseball’s 75th best prospect. Joey has been tremendous in July in AAA for Nashville slashing .333/.494/.517 with 7 XBHs (2 HRs, 5 2B) and totaling 20 hits. I don’t think it’ll be long before the Reds swallow their pride, DFA Austin Slater, and give Joey Wiemer some playing time in Cincinnati.

Jakob Junis – RHP RP

In the deal, the Reds also got RHP Jakob Junis, whom has been very good for the Milwaukee Brewers pitching lab as well in a swing man role. Jakob has a mutual option year in 2026 for $8,000,000 which the Reds may act on should they lose Martinez in FA (if they don’t trade him). Junis has 5 pitches, but primarily uses offspeed pitches – check below for his usage chart.