The N.L. Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, a phrase no one expected to hear at the end of July in 2017, made their first move to try and remain in the thick of the playoff race on Tuesday. Milwaukee traded prospect Ryan Cordell to the Chicago White Sox for relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak. FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman first reported news of the deal.
Swarzak joins a long list of veteran players the White Sox have now dealt. But the 31-year-old, right-handed pitcher was worthy of a trade to a contender given the numbers he posted this season in Chicago. Across 48 1/3 innings, Swarzak posted a 2.23 ERA, 2.34 FIP and 52/13 K/BB ratio on the season.
It's been a late stage breakout for the veteran righty, who bounced around in his career with time spent in the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees bullpen. Swarzak's best season came in 2013, when he posted a 2.91 ERA and 69/22 K/BB ratio across 96 innings for Minnesota. But his career would slip down after that and he found himself with a different club for each of the past four seasons.
But now Swarzak finds a new home and on a playoff contender for the first time since he entered the big leagues as a rookie with the Twins in 2009. The move should provide some added incentive for a relief pitcher on the wrong side of 30 and now looking to have a chance to contend in the postseason. His arrival in Milwaukee will also provide needed assistance to a bullpen that really lacked in its depth.
As of Tuesday, Milwaukee's bullpen ranked 16th in xFIP (4.32), FIP- (97) and 19th in ERA (4.23). While Corey Knebel has been sharp as the team's closer, he is the only reliever on the roster with a sub-2.8 ERA, now manager Craig Counsell will have an additional arm he can rely on in the seventh or eighth inning when Milwaukee holds the lead.
Swarzak, an impending free agent in the offseason, signed with the White Sox as a minor-league free agent in the offseason. In MLB Pipeline's mid-season update, the 25-year-old Cordell came in rated as Milwaukee's 17th-best prospect in its farm system.
Cordell found himself in Triple-A Colorado Springs to begin the season and it's where he spent all of the first half for Milwaukee. Hitting in a stadium more hitter-friendly than Coors Field, Cordell posted a .284/.349/.506 slash line, .366 wOBA, 116 wRC+, 10 home runs and nine stolen bases in 68 games. Cordell's scouting report very much displays a prospect who relies on a speed-power and fielding combo.
The 25-year-old drew a 60-grade speed and 55-grade raw power by MLB.com and FanGraphs. Cordell also drew a 55-grade arm and 55-grade for his fielding and displayed the ability to play all three outfield spots. With plus-athleticism and raw tools, he was a projectable prospect who once the power developed could have the potential to be an average center fielder at the MLB level. He should see time in Chicago this season and while the upside isn't great, it's a net positive return for the White Sox.