Brewers Closer Megill Struggling, Hurting Trade Value

Milwaukee's top trade chip is off to a rough start, putting his future with the team in question.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:08pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted navy, green, and orange tones, conveying the fragmented state of the Brewers' plans around their struggling closer.Megill's early-season struggles have fractured the Brewers' plans, forcing them to reconsider the veteran reliever's future in Milwaukee.Today in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Brewers are off to a sluggish start this season, and their star closer Trevor Megill is a big part of the problem. Megill, who has been mentioned as a potential trade chip, has allowed 9 hits, 4 walks, and 8 earned runs in just 6 innings of work so far. His poor performance has plummeted his trade value, leaving the Brewers in a difficult position as they decide whether to keep him or try to move him before the deadline.

Why it matters

The Brewers were the best team in baseball last season, but have struggled with injuries and inconsistent play so far in 2026. Megill was expected to be a valuable trade asset, but his early-season struggles have severely damaged his trade value, putting the Brewers in a tough spot as they try to get their season back on track.

The details

Megill, who had a strong 2025 campaign as the Brewers' closer, has been moved out of that role after blowing several saves early this season. He has been used as a setup man, but has continued to struggle, raising questions about his future with the team. The Brewers had hoped to trade Megill for a haul of prospects, but his poor performance has made that much more difficult.

  • Megill has allowed 9 hits, 4 walks, and 8 earned runs over 6 innings of work so far this season.
  • On April 14th, Megill was removed from the closer role and used as a setup man in a save situation.

The players

Trevor Megill

The Milwaukee Brewers' closer, who has struggled mightily to begin the 2026 season and is hurting his trade value as a result.

Christian Yelich

The Brewers' star outfielder, who has been dealing with injuries this season.

Quinn Priester

A top Brewers prospect who has also been sidelined by injuries in 2026.

Jackson Chourio

Another highly-touted Brewers prospect who has missed time due to injury this year.

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What’s next

The Brewers will need to decide whether to keep Megill and hope he can turn things around, or try to trade him before his value drops even further.

The takeaway

Megill's early-season struggles have put the Brewers in a difficult position, as they must now weigh the option of trading their once-valuable closer for less than they had hoped, or keeping him on the roster and hoping he can regain his form. This situation highlights the importance of consistent performance for players who are viewed as trade chips.