Here's what the Reds said about new Brewer Montas

This story was excerpted from Adam McCalvy’s Brewers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MILWAUKEE -- In making Monday’s trade for Reds right-hander Frankie Montas, the Brewers feel like they are getting a good pitcher and a good person.

That might sound trite in a multi-billion dollar industry that values wins and losses above everything. But clubhouse chemistry is a real thing, and Brewers general manager Matt Arnold, in acquiring starter Aaron Civale from the Rays and reliever Nick Mears from the Rockies this month, has mentioned the phrase “getting the right person” as much as getting the right players in the runup to Tuesday's 5 p.m. CT Trade Deadline.

“I feel like that’s the main question they ask among themselves,” said shortstop Willy Adames after Monday’s 8-3 win over the Braves. “When you have chemistry like we’ve had all year, you have to ask yourself, ‘If I bring in this guy, is he going to fit?’

“They always ask around to see if a guy is a good person. Especially this year, we have really good chemistry in the clubhouse. You don’t want to bring in a guy who is going to ruin all of that.”

Or, as manager Pat Murphy put it, “Sometimes you get older players and they think that they’re the answer and guys are like, ‘Hey, we’ve been doing this for 106 games.’”

Judging from what the Reds were saying in the wake of reports that Montas was heading to Milwaukee, Montas is not going to be that guy. His contributions to the Reds went beyond his 5.01 ERA.

“We’re going to miss him a lot,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He wasn’t even here very long and he just became such a big part of our team. It’s like we’ll be missing a family member or close friend. We understand how the game is. It doesn’t make it easier.

“Frankie did a lot in a short time here -- both on the mound, which everybody can see, but behind the scenes [as well]. He did amazing things really as far as being a great teammate and doing his part to share his experience, share his knowledge. He very much gave everything he had and kind of poured it into our team.”

Said Reds right-hander Hunter Greene: “It sucks. His impact has been tremendous in such a short period of time with us. I actually shed a few tears and I know I wasn’t the only one. He brought so much off the field, and then we’ve been together in multiple conversations throughout the day. He brought a lot of value to the Reds.”

Incidentally, the Brewers say the same thing about Adames, who has started every game and mentored 20-year-old, red-hot outfielder Jackson Chourio. Last year at this time, Adames wondered whether he might be traded with a season and a half left before free agency.

This year has been much more calm.

“I feel like this year I’m not really nervous,” Adames said. “I don’t feel like I will get traded. That would be very surprising for the whole team, I feel, including myself. You never know, but this year I’m calm and not thinking about myself getting traded.”

Tuesday is the last chance for the Brewers to add. After the Deadline, the avenues to add players from outside the organization narrow to Minor League swaps, waivers and free agents.

“I certainly don’t want to get comfortable with where we are,” Arnold said. “We don’t want to just get into the playoffs, we want to win the World Series. It’s crushing to get eliminated, and I think we wake up every day trying to win a championship. It’s not just about getting in.”