The Milwaukee Brewers have bolstered their pitching rotation by acquiring right-hander Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays. The trade was announced by the Rays on Wednesday morning, with minor-league infielder Gregory Barrios heading to Tampa Bay in exchange.

Civale, 29, has had a mixed season with the Rays, struggling to find his form on the mound. In 27 starts, he has recorded a disappointing 5.17 ERA (77 ERA+) and a 3.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio. One of his main challenges has been keeping the ball in the park, as he has surrendered an average of 1.6 home runs per nine innings pitched.

However, the Brewers see potential in Civale and have secured his services for the remainder of the season and beyond. With his contract running through 2025, Milwaukee hopes to work with Civale to improve his performance and provide stability to their rotation.

The Brewers have been in need of pitching reinforcements, as their offense has been impressive, ranking seventh in runs scored, and their bullpen has excelled, sitting at fourth in relief ERA. However, their rotation has been a weak link, ranking 18th in starters' ERA, 29th in innings, 23rd in K/BB ratio, 27th in strikeouts, and 29th in quality-start percentage.

General Manager Mark Attanasio recognizes the importance of shoring up the rotation but has been cautious with the team's payroll. The Brewers, who have a bottom-ten payroll per Cot's/Baseball Prospectus estimates, may be unwilling to spend big on an improved rotation.

20-year-old Gregory Barrios was the centerpiece of the trade from the Brewers' perspective. He has spent the season in High-A, displaying solid offensive numbers with a .317 batting average, .361 on-base percentage, and .423 slugging percentage. Barrios has also showcased his speed on the basepaths, stealing 16 bases.

Barrios has been ranked as the 20th best prospect in Milwaukee's system by Baseball America. Scouts see him as a true shortstop with plus defensive capabilities. His development as a hitter will be crucial, and he will need to show more power to become an everyday shortstop.

The Brewers currently sit comfortably atop the National League Central with a 51-35 record, enjoying a commanding six-game lead. The addition of Civale to their pitching staff will partly address their weaknesses and strengthen their position in the fiercely competitive division.

For the Rays, who have struggled with a disappointing 43-42 start to the season, this trade signals a potential shake-up in their rotation. With several pitchers set to return in the coming weeks, including Shane Baz and Jeffrey Springs, Tampa Bay may continue exploring trades involving starting pitchers. Zach Eflin has emerged as a possible trade candidate in the near future.

As the MLB season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the addition of Aaron Civale impacts the Brewers' quest for divisional success, and if the Rays' rotation overhaul leads to improved results on the field.