One recurring discussion surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers in recent years has been their willingness to trade prominent players one year before they reach free agency.

Milwaukee has followed that approach with Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta, among others. This offseason, All-Star closer Trevor Megill will become another player to watch.

Megill will enter the offseason one year away from free agency. Although the Brewers have frequently moved players in similar situations, his performance is giving them a compelling reason to keep him.

The right-hander excelled throughout the regular season before becoming even more dominant in October. Megill is 1-0 in five postseason appearances and has thrown 5.2 scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit with six strikeouts and four saves.

He became one of only four pitchers in MLB history to surrender one hit or fewer while recording at least four saves during his first five appearances in a single postseason.

Bryan Baker accomplished the feat with the Tampa Bay Rays this year. Former Brewer Josh Hader did it with the San Diego Padres in 2022, while Mark Wohlers reached the mark with the Atlanta Braves in 1996.

Megill completed the regular season with a 2.63 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 61.2 innings over 63 appearances, recording 69 strikeouts against 15 walks. He also matched his career high with 30 saves and contributed seven holds.

The Brewers have repeatedly demonstrated an ability to construct an elite bullpen. Although Milwaukee possesses several high-end options, Megill has produced a historic stretch himself.

That bullpen has been one of the leading reasons for the Brewers’ postseason success. Megill, Abner Uribe, DL Hall and Aaron Ashby have formed a formidable four-man combination while helping Milwaukee move closer to history.

The Brewers are four victories away from glory, and most of their roster remains under team control for 2027.

Regardless of whether Milwaukee wins the World Series against either the Cleveland Guardians or Rays, this run has demonstrated what the current group can accomplish.

The Brewers should preserve as much of the roster as possible. Milwaukee won 103 games during the regular season before eliminating the Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers from the postseason.

Despite their history of trading stars before free agency, Megill should be treated differently this offseason.

Megill brings more than overpowering pitches to the ninth inning. He maintains his composure when every pitch carries enormous consequences and attacks hitters without allowing the situation to alter his approach.

His ability to recover quickly also matters during October, when a closer may be needed on consecutive days. Megill embraces that responsibility and gives manager Pat Murphy a dependable option at the end of close games.

Trading him would remove the pitcher who completes the bullpen’s work. Keeping him would preserve the established roles, trust and late-inning structure that have carried Milwaukee within four victories of its ultimate objective.