The Milwaukee Brewers are clearly in need of more power on the left side of their infield. After getting a combined 43 home runs from Willy Adames and Joey Ortiz in 2024, their current shortstop and third baseman have only managed five so far this season. One possible solution could be acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Rockies—a consistent 20-home run hitter and three-time Gold Glove finalist at third base. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand even named the Brewers as one of the top landing spots for McMahon. While his bat would certainly add pop to the lineup, it raises the question: is third base the
Milwaukee Brewers’ Biggest Hole Is the One at Shortstop
A key free agency loss significantly disrupted the Brewers’ infield, pushing Joey Ortiz from third base to shortstop—a move that hasn’t gone smoothly. Ortiz has appeared in 72 of the team’s first 74 games, but the Brewers have posted an MLB-worst -1.9 Wins Above Average at shortstop during that span. According to Fielding Bible, his defensive struggles have already cost the team five runs.
Offensively, Ortiz hasn’t fared much better. Entering Thursday’s game, he had just 2 home runs, 11 RBIs, and a low .506 OPS—despite coming off a strong 2024 campaign at third base, where he performed well both at the plate and in the field. With his continued struggles, what Milwaukee really needs is help at shortstop, not another third baseman.
Caleb Durbin has settled in after a sluggish start and is showing signs of offensive progress, including a recent two-run homer against Chicago—just his third of the season, bringing his RBI total to 24. Despite modest offensive numbers (.216/.307/.311 slash line), his real value lies in his glove.
Defensively, Durbin has saved five runs and posted a 0.7 WAR across 53 games—production that reflects a reliable starting-caliber player. Given his contributions in the field, he’s earned the right to keep his spot in the lineup.
Ryan McMahon Is Appealing Add, But Only If Brewers Figure Some Things Out Beforehand
Shortstop is Milwaukee’s biggest need, but unfortunately there isn’t as much of a market. Thus, despite the potential for a backlog with Durbin, McMahon is an intriguing option.
Of available infielders at the sub-blockbuster level, the lifelong Rockie might be the most valuable. Since a horrendous April in which McMahon hit .126, he’s been raking at the dish: .274 AVG, .376 OBP, nine homeruns and 20 RBIs. His defense has been phenomenal as usual.
He would be the everyday third baseman in Milwaukee, relegating Durbin to spot sparts and perhaps a trial at shortstop, where he played 17 games in the minors last year. Trying someone else at short might actually not be a bad idea if Ortiz continues to struggle. Lately, though, he’s shown a bit of life. Including a 2-4 day in the Brewers’ 8-7 win this afternoon, he’s gone 10-34 since June 7.
At 30 years old, Ryan McMahon isn’t just a short-term solution—he’s signed through 2027 at \$16 million annually beyond this season. His addition would give manager Pat Murphy a versatile bat for the top half of the lineup, bringing both plate discipline and a much-needed power boost.
If the Brewers decide to pursue McMahon, they’ll face a roster dilemma: either bench Caleb Durbin—who’s done enough to keep his spot—or see if he can handle shortstop while serving as a backup at third. Given recent performances, a platoon between Durbin and Joey Ortiz could be a viable option, reducing the need to lean on struggling players simply due to lack of depth. At the same time, adding McMahon would inject some much-needed power into the lineup.
Durbin’s emergence and Ortiz’s ongoing struggles have created an unusual challenge for Milwaukee. To strengthen the roster, the Brewers may need to get creative—but that shouldn’t stop them from making a move on the trade front.
