It’s winter in Milwaukee, which means two things are basically guaranteed: it’s cold, and the Brewers are once again being floated in national trade proposals for dealing away one of their best pitchers. This time, it’s Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report sketching out a mock trade that has All-Star closer Trevor Megill heading to — who else? — the New York Yankees.

We all know what happened just one offseason ago. The Yankees traded for Devin Williams in December 2024, shipping Nestor Cortes and prospect Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee. The move blew up on New York almost immediately — Williams struggled, their late-inning formula never materialized, and now he’s a member of their cross-town rivals, the New York Mets. Milwaukee’s real win from that deal was Durbin, who looks like a long-term piece. Now, somehow, we’re right back in the same place, just swapping out the name on the Brewers’ side of the ledger.

Yankees linked to another Brewers closer in mock trade fans have seen before

And for good reason: Megill has done everything possible to elevate his value. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has been one of the most dominant late-inning arms in the National League over the past two seasons, compiling a 2.49 ERA, 30 saves, and the kind of raw stuff that screams “elite closer.” Add in two years of club control, and it’s no wonder rival teams see him as a prime trade chip.

There’s also the financial reality. The Brewers haven’t been shy about trimming payroll this winter, and moving established players before they reach free agency has become something of a front-office signature. Freddy Peralta’s name continues to bounce around the rumor millm but moving Megill and his $4.2 million projected salary by MLB Trade Rumors, could also create payroll flexibility should the Brewers need it. Milwaukee rarely lets elite arms walk for nothing, and they’re usually rewarded for being early rather than late.

That’s why Reuter’s mock proposal is at least worth raising an eyebrow at. His suggested return is headlined by Yankees No. 2 prospect Carlos Lagrange — an athletic, high-upside pitcher who fits the Brewers’ developmental model to a tee. A package built around a premium prospect isn’t always a win-now move, but it’s exactly how Milwaukee has stayed competitive despite constant payroll constraints.

Would this trade hurt in the short term? Absolutely. Megill has been another reliable arm in the long list of arms the Brewers have produced the last several years, and trading an All-Star closer two winters in a row would test even the most patient fanbase. But if the Brewers are truly leaning into another cycle of retooling, this is the type of forward-thinking move they’ve never shied away from.

If nothing else, it’s a reminder: in Milwaukee, the offseason isn’t about splashes — it’s about timing. And if the national speculation is any indication, the clock on another major Brewers trade may already be ticking.