The Mariners and Brewers were ideal business partners, as they both achieved exactly what they wanted in the Kolten Wong-Jesse Winker swap.
In recent days, the Milwaukee Brewers have been aggressively shopping second baseman Kolten Wong. The team wanted to open a door for rookie player Brice Turang and allocate Wong’s $10 million salary to a different part of the roster.
The sources said the Brewers agreed on Friday to trade Wong to the Seattle Mariners for defenseman Jesse Winker and player Abraham Toro. The deal is pending physical.
“This is a rather interesting business,” said one of the competing executives. “Which I love Milwaukee so much.”
The Mariners and Brewers got what they needed from the Wong-Winker trade
The Mariners emerged as the most obvious destination for Wong, as they were looking for a left-handed hitter as a second baseman. But they were one of the few teams that got into the beer trade in recent days, sources say, and they included the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Upon Wong’s acquisition, the Mariners filled a hole at second base, at least temporarily. He’s only signed for one season ($10 million) and continues his front office aggressiveness toward building a legitimate World Series contender.
But Wong is coming off a baffling season — arguably his best offensive season and worst defensive season — even though he told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that lower leg injuries are to blame for his defensive problems. So there is reason to believe he will bounce back defensively in Seattle.
Acquiring Wong came at a cost. They parted ways with Winker, a strong candidate for a bounce back after a low-key 2022 season, and Toro, a darling among the opposing analytics staff and under the team’s grip for the next four seasons.
Winker, 29, is expected to be a strong favorite in Milwaukee next season. Toro, 25, has the ability to play all infield positions (besides the shortstop) and should improve in his touchdown season at the plate in which he averaged .185/.239/.324 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI. The trade succeeded in opening up a second base for Turang, its best position.
The Mariners have been shopping Winker, sources said, and have also spoken to the Los Angeles Dodgers about a possible trade.
With this deal, each team achieved what it wanted. The Mariners added their coveted second baseman each season while the Brewers dumped Wong’s salary and successfully allocated him to a different part of the roster.
Not every team is finished. The Mariners will continue to add to their list. Meanwhile, the Brewers are unlikely to trade either Corbin Burns, Brandon Woodruff, and Willy Adames and are expected to add chops around them to remain competitive in 2023.
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