The Milwaukee Brewers have a legitimate reason to consider trading closer Trevor Megill this winter.

Megill will enter the last year of his contract at age 33, giving Milwaukee an opportunity to obtain value before he reaches free agency. Waiting another season would create the possibility of losing him without receiving anything in return after 2027.

The right-hander has recorded a 2.58 ERA and 60 saves in 108.2 innings over 113 appearances during the past two seasons.

In 2026, Megill finished with a 2.63 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 30 saves while collecting 69 strikeouts in 61.2 innings over 63 appearances.

His underlying performance remained impressive. Megill’s 1.85 FIP placed him among MLB’s leading relievers in that category.

He earned an All-Star selection in 2025 and continued succeeding in high-leverage situations during Milwaukee’s run to the World Series title.

Megill went 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and five saves in nine innings over eight postseason appearances, recording 11 strikeouts.

Milwaukee has repeatedly shown a willingness to trade pitchers before their last season of team control. The Brewers previously moved Josh Hader and Devin Williams before they reached free agency, while Freddy Peralta was also dealt before his contract year.

Megill presents a similar decision. He remains a productive closer and is projected to earn approximately $8 million through arbitration in 2027.

Allowing him to depart without compensation would represent a missed opportunity for an organization that prioritizes payroll flexibility and adding prospects.

Milwaukee possesses sufficient bullpen depth to withstand Megill’s departure without experiencing a substantial decline.

Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe and DL Hall could immediately handle important late-inning assignments.

Uribe posted a 1.97 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and six saves in 59.1 innings over 61 appearances during 2026. He also shined with a 1.54 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and four holds in 11.2 innings across 11 apperances in the postseason.

Ashby delivered 18 consecutive scoreless innings, establishing the record for the longest streak by a reliever during a single postseason.

Hall posted a 1.91 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 61.1 innings across 47 appearances (one start) in 2026 and threw eight scoreless innings and won three games in six postseason appearances.

That collection of available arms reduces the immediate risk of trading Megill and could keep Milwaukee’s late innings dependable. Uribe’s velocity and secondary offerings make him particularly capable of accepting greater responsibility.

Megill brings experience, composure and a proven ability to protect narrow leads. That should create considerable interest among teams searching for an established closer.

Milwaukee nevertheless has demonstrated that it will separate emotion from roster management. Winning the 2026 World Series does not change the organization’s commitment to sustained contention.

Trading Megill at his highest value could reduce payroll, add younger talent and create opportunities for the Brewers’ next group of relievers.

It would be a difficult decision involving an important contributor, but it would remain consistent with the approach that helped Milwaukee build a World Series winner.