{"id":109129,"date":"2025-11-15T01:45:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T06:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=109129"},"modified":"2025-11-15T01:46:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T06:46:31","slug":"are-milwaukee-brewers-major-player-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/11\/15\/are-milwaukee-brewers-major-player-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Brewers Face Uncertain Free Agency Outlook This Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Milwaukee Brewers enter this offseason in a familiar position. Once again, they are the defending champions of the National League Central, and the organization is led by both the reigning NL Manager of the Year<\/a> and Executive of the Year. Both Pat Murphy<\/a> and Matt Arnold<\/a> have retained their titles and now face the challenge of improving a team that led MLB in wins in 2025.<\/p>\n

The General Manager meetings took place this week in Las Vegas, and the hot stove is heating up. For the Brewers, many answers will come on November 19th when they find out if Brandon Woodruff<\/a> will accept his $22 million option for 2026.<\/p>\n

If he does not accept the offer, the Brewers may look to be active in free agency. Additionally, they would receive a compensatory pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, further enhancing their top-rated farm system.<\/p>\n

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Sep 23, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Brewers’ Aggressiveness in Free Agency Remains Unclear<\/h2>\n

Milwaukee is not typically a big player in the free agent market. Their approach resembles that of a poker player, waiting for the market to yield a player like Jos\u00e9 Quintana just days before Opening Day. This strategy has proven successful for the smallest market team in MLB, which has enjoyed remarkable regular-season success over the past decade.<\/p>\n

Pitching<\/h3>\n

Arnold’s phone will likely be ringing, especially with Freddy Peralta<\/a>‘s $8 million price tag catching the attention of the entire league. Peralta, who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting and made the 2nd Team All-MLB, would command significant trade value.<\/p>\n

While it may be wise to trade Peralta while his value is high, it raises the question of whether the Brewers should maintain a club that loses very little with an ace leading a young pitching staff. Having a player in his prime at such a price is desirable for any team, yet the Brewers could potentially receive two marquee prospects in return.<\/p>\n

Milwaukee boasts one of the top farm systems in MLB, giving them numerous trade pieces not named Jes\u00fas Mad\u00e9. An interesting idea proposed by Jeff Passan of ESPN was a trade for Washington Nationals’ 26-year-old left-hander MacKenzie Gore<\/a>, who would have two years of team control remaining.<\/p>\n

The prospect of a rotation featuring Peralta, Gore, Woodruff, Quinn Priester<\/a>, and Jacob Misiorowski<\/a> would be enticing.<\/p>\n

Infield<\/h3>\n

The Brewers do not have many holes to fill, but adding power at third base and in the outfield are their top priorities. The free agent market isn’t loaded with third basemen, and players like Alex Bregman<\/a> and Eugenio Su\u00e1rez<\/a> will be outside Milwaukee’s price range.<\/p>\n

The extra revenue from making the NLCS will likely allow them to retain Woodruff on a one-year deal, but it\u2019s conceivable that the Brewers and Woodruff could negotiate a longer-term, more team-friendly deal. Otherwise, any of the necessary improvements may come from within the organization.<\/p>\n

The Brewers’ third-ranked prospect, Cooper Pratt, is ready to take over the shortstop position from the defensively skilled but light-hitting Joey Ortiz<\/a>. Both players are essentially keeping the position warm for the aforementioned Mad\u00e9, who is expected to make his debut in 2027, but is rocketing up through the system like another prodigy did in 2024 – Jackson Chourio<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cooper Pratt just hit his third homer of the week \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

102 MPH off the bat, 407 feet pic.twitter.com\/fgwDcHgh3H<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Spencer Michaelis (@smichaelis234) <\/a>August 17, 2025<\/a>