Apparently, the earth’s gravitational pull keeps luring right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress back to southeastern Wisconsin. Hours before the trade deadline, the Milwaukee Brewers traded for Jeffress. This will mark his third different stint with the club.
Can confirm Jeremy Jeffress has been acquired by #Brewers from #Rangers. He returns to team that made him a 1st-round pick in 2006. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2017
Milwaukee Brewers Trade for Jeremy Jeffress
Milwaukee took Jeffress in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft (with the 16th overall pick). In 2010, Jeffress made his MLB debut for the club and appeared in 10 games that season. While in the minors, the righty served two different suspensions for positive marijuana tests. Additionally of note, because of Jeffress’ past violations, he still remains one failed test away from receiving a lifetime ban from MLB.
No Stranger to Trades
Jeffress (along with Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, and Jake Odorizzi) was sent to Kansas City during the 2010 MLB Winter Meetings. That deal netted the Brewers Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt.
However, Jeffress didn’t make much of an impression in Kansas City. In November of 2012, the Toronto Blue Jays bought the rights to Jeffress.
The Brewers brought Jeffress back as a free agent singing in 2014. As part of the Jonathan Lucroy trade, the reliever was sent to the Texas Rangers
With the Rangers, Jeffress appeared in 51 games. For his career, he has appeared in 249 games, accumulating 28 saves and a 3.31 ERA.
In return, Texas gets relief pitcher Taylor Scott, who has spent the current season with the Brewers Double-A affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers.
Back in Familiar Role, Still on Thin Ice
The Brewers trade for Jeffress gets them a pitcher they’re familiar with. Further, it aids their efforts to address their bullpen. Prior to this move, the Brewers brought in relievers Anthony Swarzak and Tyler Webb.
From here, Jeffress figures to pitch mostly as a middle reliever, perhaps even as a setup man for closer Corey Knebel.
