PITTSBURGH _ While the return of Junior Guerra from the disabled list was the story on the field for the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, their eventual 1-0 shutout of the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park was overshadowed by much bigger news off of it.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Brewers won a waiver claim for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig earlier in the week, and that the teams had serious trade discussions that centered around the controversial Cuban and left fielder Ryan Braun.
The deadline for such a deal to be consummated passed Wednesday, and general manager David Stearns declined to comment on the report later Friday.
Braun, the Brewers' best and most high-profile player, is due $72 million through 2020 with a $4 million buyout of an option _ a contract that the large-market Dodgers certainly could afford. Plus, they're one of just six teams not on Braun's no-trade list.
With one of the lowest payrolls in the major leagues already, Milwaukee isn't in a position where it has to dump Braun's salary. But in the early stages of a rebuild and with Braun's advancing age (32) and controversial past, trading Braun for a young, talented player like Puig would be understandable.
But the 25-year-old Puig has had his own share of issues both on and off the field, which could have made him a tough fit in a small market like Milwaukee. He's making $5.5 million this season and is set to earn $6.5 million in 2017 and $7.5 million in 2018.
Rosenthal also had reported earlier in the season that the Dodgers had interest in Braun.
Guerra, meanwhile, pitched 31/3 shutout innings after missing the previous month with right-elbow inflammation. He allowed five hits and walked two while striking out three in a 70-pitch outing.
The Brewers scored their lone run off Pirates starter Jameson Taillon in the sixth. Martin Maldonado was hit by a pitch leading off, went to second on a hit and run, tagged and went to third on a flyout by Jonathan Villar and scored on a double to center by Scooter Gennett.
Milwaukee's bullpen turned in an outstanding showing behind Guerra, with Jacob Barnes, Blaine Boyer (2-3), Jhan Marinez, Carlos Torres, Corey Knebel and finally Tyler Thornburg, who was pitching in his fourth consecutive game.
The shutout was the Brewers' first since July 4, when they beat the Washington Nationals, 1-0.
Hernan Perez, who got the start at first base in place of Chris Carter, made two outstanding defensive plays on the night. The second was particularly big, as he hustled after an errant pickoff throw by Knebel after a leadoff single by Josh Harrison in the eighth, then fired a strike to third to nab an advancing Harrison.
