Brewers Land Shelby Miller, Jordan Montgomery to Fortify Pitching

By Oliver Wiener August 04, 2025 12:56

The Milwaukee Brewers made a strategic move at the 2025 MLB trade deadline by acquiring relief pitcher Shelby Miller and left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery from the Arizona Diamondbacks. This deal uniquely blends short-term bullpen reinforcement with financial maneuvering, as the Brewers landed Miller’s services without giving up prospects but took on Montgomery’s sizable contract despite the lefty being sidelined for the season due to Tommy John surgery .

Shelby Miller, a 34-year-old right-hander, is enjoying arguably the best season of his career despite recovering from a flexor tendon strain in his pitching arm that sidelined him since early July. Before the injury, Miller posted an impressive 1.98 ERA with 10 saves and a 0.96 WHIP in 37 relief appearances, tallying 40 strikeouts across 36⅓ innings. His ability to generate swings and misses using primarily a four-seam fastball and a splitter has been vital to his resurgence. Miller originally joined Milwaukee on a minor-league contract in 2019 and made brief stops with the Brewers’ system, making this a sentimental return for a player familiar with the organization. General Manager Matt Arnold emphasized the value of adding a proven shutdown arm without sacrificing minor-league prospects. “We’re able to maintain prospect capital and access a really good player, so we think that’s a great outcome,” Arnold said .

Jordan Montgomery, 32, is a left-handed starter with a career record of 46-41, a 4.03 ERA, and nearly 800 strikeouts over 13 seasons. Unfortunately, he underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025 and is out for the season, making direct on-field contributions impossible this year. However, the Brewers accepted Montgomery’s remaining $7.5 million salary through the end of the year as part of the deal, with financial details indicating Milwaukee will pay about $2 million of that. Montgomery becomes a free agent after the season, so this move is primarily a cost consideration by Arizona to offload salary, while Milwaukee’s willingness to absorb Montgomery’s contract facilitated the acquisition of Miller without giving up prospects .

The move is part of Milwaukee’s attempt to bolster their bullpen for the stretch run. The Brewers lead MLB with a 64-44 record and possess the best team ERA in baseball, but bullpen depth remains a priority to sustain their postseason push. Miller’s likely return from injury could provide high-leverage options alongside All-Star closer Trevor Megill and setup men like Abner Uribe and Jared Koenig, who have each appeared on the mound over 50 times so far this season. Miller’s presence adds a veteran hand potentially capable of shutting down opponents in critical moments. Arnold noted that Miller felt great in conversation and was close to returning with live batting practices showcasing good velocity, projecting a swift rehab assignment before rejoining the big leagues.

While Montgomery’s injury diminishes immediate on-field value, his contract played a crucial role in the mechanics of the swap. This trade allowed Milwaukee to reinforce a bullpen spot with minimal prospect cost and increased financial flexibility. It’s a creative approach reflecting the front office’s balancing act between maintaining minor-league assets and improving the major league roster.

In summary, the Brewers’ trade for Shelby Miller and Jordan Montgomery represents a calculated gamble on health and finances. The acquisition brings a resurgent, high-impact bullpen arm in Miller, familiar with Milwaukee’s environment, combined with the financial responsibility of Montgomery’s contract, which helps facilitate the deal without depleting the farm system. If Miller recovers fully and returns to form, Milwaukee’s bullpen will be significantly fortified for the critical playoff stretch. This deal exemplifies savvy roster management by Matt Arnold and his team as the Brewers aim to maximize their chances in a highly competitive National League