Brewers Bolster Rotation, Add Former All-Star In Trade With Astros

The MLB Trade Deadline is still over two weeks away, but that didn't stop the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros from making an early trade on Wednesday.

With the rest of the sport in a lull during the All-Star Break, the Brewers acquired pitchers Lance McCullers Jr., Colton Gordon and cash from the Astros in exchange for prospect Jadyn Fielder. Milwaukee also transferred left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

McCullers and Gordon have both struggled for Houston this year, but perhaps a change of scenery and the Brewers' vaunted pitching lab will help. McCullers, 32, is a  former All-Star and World Series champion, but he has an ERA over six for the second straight season.

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Gordon, 27, has a career 5.95 ERA in 95 1/3 innings since debuting last season.

Based on Milwaukee's recent success with reclamation projects, perhaps the organization can get more out of the scuffling duo than the Astros did.

Meanwhile, Houston gets an intriguing prospect in Fielder, the son of former MLB superstar Prince Fielder. The 21-year-old outfielder has shown good plate discipline and speed in A ball this season but has failed to replicate his father's power stroke so far, batting .251/.421/.422 in 93 minor league games.

While the Brewers lead the NL Central and have the second-best record in the National League, it will be interesting to see if McCullers and/or Gordon can make an impact for them down the stretch.

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