{"id":109514,"date":"2025-12-14T01:16:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T06:16:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=109514"},"modified":"2025-12-14T01:16:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T06:16:29","slug":"three-un-brewers-like-ideas-as-offseason-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/14\/three-un-brewers-like-ideas-as-offseason-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Very Un-Brewers-Like Ideas for the Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The Milwaukee Brewers and General Manager Matt Arnold<\/a> find themselves in an interesting position this offseason, just after the Winter Meetings. They will be returning 99% of their roster from last season’s MLB-leading 97-win team and can proudly boast one of the best farm systems in the league. Additionally, Baseball America has awarded the Brewers the title of the top franchise in baseball for 2025.

While the Brewers have very few questions heading into the 2026 season, it would be unusual for Arnold not to make significant moves at this point. Following the team’s decision to finalize an offer sheet to bring back veteran Brandon Woodruff<\/a> for the league-average salary of $22.5 million, they seem set to return much of their core in 2026 and see how things unfold.<\/p>\r\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>\r\n


However, not all of Milwaukee’s questions have been answered. The decision on whether to retain Woodruff, who became the highest-paid pitcher in Brewers history, was seen as a toss-up. This raises the possibility of other moves that would typically fall outside the Brewers’ usual strategies.

Conventional wisdom from the team’s finance department, particularly given that they operate in the smallest market in MLB, suggests that they might consider trading<\/a> ace Freddy Peralta<\/a>, especially with his appeal due to a team-friendly $8 million salary.

Here are a few less conventional ideas that might be on the table as the offseason continues (noting that signing a high-priced free agent seems far-fetched).<\/p>\r\n

Three Outside-the-Box Ideas for the Brewers This Offseason<\/h2>\r\n

1. Trade for Nationals Southpaw MacKenzie Gore<\/h3>\r\n


Keeping Peralta this offseason would signal that the Brewers are \u201cgoing for it\u201d in 2026. Adding another young ace like MacKenzie Gore<\/a> could fuel this ambition. The 26-year-old had a breakout year in 2025, making 30 starts and pitching 159.2 innings, during which he struck out 10.43 batters per nine innings while posting a 4.17 ERA behind the league\u2019s worst defense. He carries a 99-pitch stuff+ rating, and with improved command, he has the potential to become a future ace, especially with Milwaukee\u2019s defense backing him. Most importantly, Gore has two years of team control left, fitting well into Milwaukee\u2019s plans.

What would it take? Given the skyrocketing prices of starting pitching, it would likely require two top-ten prospects, excluding Jesus Made<\/a>. The situation is intriguing since the Nationals’ new general manager, Blake Butera, might see Gore as part of the rebuilding plan and be willing to deal him to maximize value before he becomes a free agent.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com noted on Thursday\u2019s Tony Kornheiser Show that it\u2019s probable the Nationals will look to trade Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams<\/a>, considering Butera did not draft or develop either player. In Gore’s situation, he would be a free agent by the time the Nats are in ready-to-win mode.<\/p>\r\n

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Robert Murray on MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams pic.twitter.com\/Husiz6mI0d<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 Stars and Strikes – Daily Nats Content (@StarsStrikesBB) December 11, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n