In a surprising mid-season move, the Milwaukee Brewers have traded pitcher Aaron Civale and cash to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for first baseman Andrew Vaughn.
This trade comes just one day after Civale officially asked to be moved, unhappy with being taken out of the starting rotation.
Aaron Civale’s Trade Request and Recent Performance
Aaron Civale, a 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, had only started five games this season due to a hamstring injury that kept him out for nearly two months.
In those games, he recorded a 4.91 ERA over 22 innings. After being shifted to the bullpen in favor of rookie Jacob Misiorowski, Civale wanted a chance to return to a starting role, especially with free agency coming up this winter.
Throughout his career, Civale has been a dependable starter, holding a 103 ERA+ and a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio. His wish to be traded came from a desire to prove his value ahead of free agency.
White Sox Aim for Future Flexibility
Although the Chicago White Sox are having a rough season with a 23-46 record and no playoff hopes, they see a different kind of value in Civale.
By giving him a spot in the starting rotation, the team could boost his market value and potentially trade him again before the deadline for a better return. This is seen as a smart move by the White Sox to gain more from a low-cost investment.
Andrew Vaughn’s Exit from Chicago
Andrew Vaughn, the former third overall pick in the 2019 draft, now leaves the team that drafted him. So far this season, Vaughn has struggled, posting a batting average of just .189 with a low on-base and slugging percentage.
Still, he has shown some improvement in hitting the ball hard and pulling fly balls — two qualities that might make him a better fit at Milwaukee’s hitter-friendly stadium.
What’s Next for Vaughn in Milwaukee?
Though the Brewers have Rhys Hoskins and Christian Yelich covering first base and designated hitter roles, Vaughn adds depth and could develop further in their system. For now, the team has assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds.
It’s unclear if the Brewers plan to bring him up soon or if this move is more about building for the future. Vaughn still has one more year of team control, so Milwaukee has time to decide how to use him.
Brewers’ Position in the Standings
As of Friday, the Brewers are 37-33 and only 2.5 games behind in the playoff race. This trade shows they are still looking to stay competitive but also thinking ahead.
Adding a young hitter with potential while parting with a pitcher they weren’t using as a starter could be a smart move long-term.
This Brewers-White Sox trade is a classic case of two teams with different goals finding a deal that works for both. Aaron Civale gets his chance to start again, possibly boosting his trade value, while Andrew Vaughn gets a fresh start in Milwaukee.
The move might not shake up the standings right away, but it could help both teams in their respective plans—whether that’s making the playoffs or building for the future.
