The Milwaukee Brewers were unwilling to part with four key players in their bid to acquire Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.
The Brewers identified Jesus Made, a 19-year-old shortstop and the No. 1 prospect in baseball, as one of the four players they would not trade away for the Cy Young winner.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Brewers also refused to give up on shortstop Cooper Pratt and outfielder Luis Lara, both of whom signed long-term contracts before their major league debuts.
The list of untouchables went beyond Made, with the Brewers unwilling to move Pratt, Lara, or right-hander Logan Henderson, who has five more years of club control.
Henderson, a 24-year-old starting pitcher, has a 2.70 ERA and 62 strikeouts with a 6-2 record across 50 innings pitched in 10 starts this season.
Lara, a 21-year-old outfield prospect, has a .678 OPS in 21 games in the Majors, while Pratt, also 21, has a .289 batting average with a .761 OPS in the big leagues this season.
The Brewers' stance on these players is an understandable one, given their value to the franchise.
While the Brewers were a suitor for Skubal, they ultimately missed out on the left-hander, who was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Brewers' refusal to trade away these key players likely made a deal for Skubal a difficult one to reach, given the high price the Tigers were likely to demand.
It's a shame the Brewers didn't land Skubal, but their decision to prioritize their young players is a smart one, given their potential to be cornerstones of the franchise for years to come.
The Tigers, meanwhile, received a lousy grade for the trade, which saw them send Skubal to the Dodgers.
The trade deadline has come and gone, but the impact of the Brewers' decision will be felt for the rest of the season.
The Dodgers' acquisition of Skubal has given them a boost in their bid for a deep postseason run, while the Brewers will have to look elsewhere to fill their starting rotation needs.
The Brewers' decision to prioritize their young players is a smart one, but it may cost them in the short term.
Source: Yahoo Sports