Finding a fair Mariners trade offer for available Brewers closer Trevor Megill

With MLB's GM Meetings officially behind us, expectations are high that there will be plenty of roster action over the next few weeks. One notable nugget that emerged from the meetings was that the World Series champions are listening to offers on their dominant closer, Trevor Megill.

The Seattle Mariners have a few holes to fill on their roster heading into 2027, but after exercising Andrés Muñoz's club option, it seemed like the closer position was taken care of. But now, with Bob Nightengale of USA Today having added to talk of Megill's potential availability this offseason, it never hurts to wonder what kind of package it would take to bring the hulking closer to the Pacific Northwest.

Why would the Milwaukee Brewers trade Trevor Megill?

We're just over two weeks removed from Megill recording the final six outs to clinch the franchise's first World Series title. Not only was he dominant in the playoffs, but he is evidently a close personal friend of the Brewers' GM, Matt Arnold, who recently revealed that the two had attended a Metallica concert together.

Still, if there is one thing that the Brewers' playoff run showed, it is that their high-leverage innings are dominated by a three-headed monster. Both Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby proved they have the stuff to be closers for the Brewers, and both happen to be cheaper and younger than Megill.

Megill is entering the final year of arbitration and would certainly cash in on his success when he becomes a free agent in 2028. Even if the Brewers aren't married to the idea of trading Megill, it would make more sense than losing him for nothing in free agency. Of course, the Brewers could also choose to run it back with this trio next season and cross the 2028 bridge when the time comes, but that hasn't always been their preferred path.

For Megill, a trade could mean a return to the West Coast, where he was born and raised. The Long Beach, California, native has also been linked by FanSided's Robert Murray to the San Francisco Giants, so the rumors of a return out west are certainly not exaggerated.

Previously, Milwaukee traded away closers Josh Hader and Devin Williams to the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, respectively. Both pitchers were in their primes, like Megill, and both were traded before they became free agents, allowing the Brewers to avoid locking them into long-term deals.

For the Brewers, trading Megill would follow an organizational philosophy that has allowed them to stay competitive while maintaining an affordable payroll. Milwaukee has previously traded away top pitchers in their prime, such as Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, and the aforementioned Hader and Williams. While they have taken criticism in the past, nobody seems to be doubting this philosophy anymore.

What kind of trade package can the Mariners put together for Trevor Megill?

In Megill, the Mariners would be acquiring one of the league's premier closers. Megill doesn't just have a nasty arsenal; he is a legitimate and proven run-preventer. In 61.2 innings, he allowed just one long ball and 18 earned runs during the regular season. Zooming out, Megill has given up just 10 home runs in 188.5 innings as a Brewer. Muñoz, while arguably just as nasty, allowed nine home runs in just 57.1 innings of work in 2026.

To get a premier talent, you need to give up some top prospects in return. A package of two of the Mariners' top prospects would likely do the trick. Let's start with Michael Arroyo. The Brewers are fairly set at second base with Brice Turang, but it's about stockpiling top talent, not positional need. If the Mariners throw in another position player, say Jonny Farmelo or Ace Reese, it would certainly get Milwaukee's attention.

What if we get a bit more creative? With Jesús Made and Andrew Fischer potentially making the jump to the majors next season, the Brewers could part ways with a player like Joey Ortiz. Ortiz is considered one of the best defensive infielders in baseball and would add another element of speed at the bottom of the order. Nobody is mistaking Ortiz for Aaron Judge, but he has historically had better splits against left-handed pitching, something the Mariners ranked dead last in last season.

I wrote earlier this week about a potential trade package the Mariners could use to land Cincinnati Reds' shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The package was more impressive, but the reasoning is the same. Seattle enters the 2027 season with Jerry Dipoto's job on the line. Now is not the time to be passive in what projects to be a very winnable division. With nothing to lose, Dipoto should be looking to empty his chamber, or he will certainly be on the outside looking in at the next MLB GM meeting.

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