Just when it all seemed too easy, the Milwaukee Brewers shake things up. Entering the final exhibition game of the year before Opening Day on Thursday, the Brewers had 26 healthy players in camp. It seemed like the roster was set and there would be no more drama with the roster construction.<\/p>\n
Then the Brewers made a trade.<\/p>\n
Right before Pat Murphy\u2019s media availability on Tuesday, the Brewers announced they had acquired RHP Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher K.C. Hunt and cash considerations. Outfielder Akil Baddoo was transferred to the 60-day IL to make 40-man roster space.<\/p>\n
What Jake Woodford brings<\/p>\n
Woodford throws five pitches, including three fastball variations: a sinker, cutter, and a traditional four-seam. He also has a sweeper and a changeup in his arsenal. Woodford has a career 5.10 ERA and his ERA was over 6.00 last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was in Rays camp on a minor league deal with a non-roster invite.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old righty is primarily sinker\/sweeper against righties and four-seam\/changeup against lefties.<\/p>\n
\u201cHappy to have him. He\u2019s pitched in a number of different roles. He\u2019s been a veteran in the league for a while. A guy we faced, obviously, with St. Louis. We have some history with him, and he\u2019s an interesting arm that can play a valuable role in a number of different spots in our bullpen or potentially even at the front of games. So again, just at the point where we wanted to add some depth and he\u2019s right-handed, and I think we\u2019re obviously a little more skewed to the left-hand side, so we feel like he\u2019s a really good fit for us.\u201d Brewers PBO Matt Arnold told reporters.<\/p>\n
The Brewers had just five right-handed relievers on their 40-man roster prior to this trade: Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, Grant Anderson, Craig Yoho, and Easton McGee. Yoho is on the IL to start the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowed his career obviously in St. Louis. [Woodford] did a really nice job against us. He was a good player out of Tampa as an amateur. Got a big signing bonus and has been on our radar for a while,\u201d Arnold added.<\/p>\n
Woodford is out of minor league options, so now that he\u2019s added to the 40-man, he must remain up with the big-league club. It remains to be seen if he\u2019ll arrive in time for Opening Day. The Brewers have 72 hours to activate him after a trade, so they could wait until Friday to put him on the roster.<\/p>\n