The Milwaukee Brewers strengthened both their starting rotation and bullpen ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, reaching an agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals to acquire right-hander Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero.
In return, St. Louis received two highly regarded outfield prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale adding long-term talent as the organization continues to reshape its farm system.
May, 28, signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals before the season and quickly emerged as one of the more attractive rental pitchers available on the trade market. Although his performance cooled after a strong first half, he still delivered dependable production, posting a 4.38 ERA over 109 innings in 21 starts while recording a solid strikeout-to-walk profile.
Milwaukee is expected to slot May into an already deep rotation, providing another experienced arm behind its frontline starters. Even if he does not secure a postseason rotation spot, his versatility gives the Brewers valuable depth for the stretch run and potential playoff bullpen options.
The Brewers also addressed their need for another left-handed reliever by adding Romero, who has been sidelined while recovering from an appendectomy. With Milwaukee comfortably leading its division, the club can afford to be patient as he works his way back to full health in hopes of having him available for October.
Romero has quietly been one of the Cardinals’ most reliable relievers over the past several seasons. This year, the 29-year-old compiled a 3.35 ERA while continuing to generate strikeouts and ground balls, making him an effective late-inning option despite a slight dip in his swing-and-miss numbers.
Financially, Milwaukee assumes the remaining salaries of both pitchers. May is playing on a one-year contract worth $12 million and is also due a buyout on his mutual option after the season, while Romero is earning $4.26 million in 2026. The acquisitions are expected to push the Brewers’ payroll beyond the $140 million mark.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, the return offers significant upside. Alexander Frias, an 18-year-old outfielder, is viewed as one of Milwaukee’s most promising young talents. Scouts have praised his exceptional bat speed and project him as a potential middle-of-the-order power hitter if his offensive development continues. Since earning a promotion to Low-A, he has shown flashes of the offensive potential that made him one of the Brewers’ fastest-rising prospects.
The second piece, Josiah Ragsdale, has also enjoyed a breakout campaign in the minor leagues. The 22-year-old outfielder has impressed with his combination of speed, patience at the plate, and developing power while climbing through High-A and Double-A. Although evaluators believe his strikeout rate will remain an area to monitor, his athleticism and defensive ability in center field give him a realistic path to becoming an everyday major league contributor.
The trade reflects two organizations pursuing different goals. Milwaukee adds proven pitching for another postseason push, while St. Louis invests in high-ceiling young talent that could play a key role in the franchise’s future.
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