Offseason Big Name Potential Targets

[jonescm128]

I don't have any likely big name targets the Brewers could go after, but it does sound like we will have a good amount of money to spend. We have a few mutual options that likely wont get picked up (Woodruff, Hoskins, Quintana, Jansen) and with our currently commitments and projected arbitration numbers, we should be sitting under $80M in salary for 2026. Would love to add a big bat like Story or Bregman but those guys just aren't within our budget.

[The Beat Goes On]

Bichette makes too much sense so I doubt it'll happen.  I am expecting a very quiet offseason tbh.  Unless an impact player is finding no long term deals and wants the Brewers 1 year With an Option Special I don't see us really spending given that there's so much uncertainty around the 2027 season and what the next CBA they'll be building a roster under will look like coupled with knowing once they get past that and into the '27 and '28 seasons they'll have to begin thinking about which of these young guys they offer extensions to.  Likely a game of wait and see unfortunately.

[umphrey]

I read $106m, and so they should be able to add $15m or $20m. They also have about $16m falling off next year from buyouts, and Yelich is only 3 years left. So they really do have the capacity to either extend some guys, or add an AAV around $25m at 5+ years I think. Although realistically next year is better to add salary, they could pull it in a year after a record breaking season, both from wins and profits. 
 

Personally I would try to extend some guys. Mis, Frelick, Turang, etc., not sure all their status but look at that group.

My top choice is probably Freddy. He might sign maybe 5 years $100m which is an under pay but it’s offset by the raise he gets in 2026 from $8m and he gets his big payday without another year at risk for arm injury. 

[Roderick]

On 10/21/2025 at 11:43 AM, jonescm128 said:

I don't have any likely big name targets the Brewers could go after, but it does sound like we will have a good amount of money to spend. We have a few mutual options that likely wont get picked up (Woodruff, Hoskins, Quintana, Jansen) and with our currently commitments and projected arbitration numbers, we should be sitting under $80M in salary for 2026. Would love to add a big bat like Story or Bregman but those guys just aren't within our budget.

You have to include the $1.8M Braun, $1.0M Cain, $10MWoodruff, $.5MJansen, $2M Quintana in any 2026 budget estimates.  Not sure on Hoskins deal.

I have them at $107M running it back basically (w/o Woodruff, Jansen, Quintana) without including any salary for players brought up during the year.  If they maintain the same thought that they want to keep salary available for the trading deadline, I really don't see them picking up a free agent.  I would assume any notable roster addition would be from a trade.

[landoc88]

Jarren Duran please. Center fielder that's controlled through 2028. 

[Scooterfletcher]

On 10/22/2025 at 4:56 PM, umphrey said:

I read $106m, and so they should be able to add $15m or $20m. They also have about $16m falling off next year from buyouts, and Yelich is only 3 years left. So they really do have the capacity to either extend some guys, or add an AAV around $25m at 5+ years I think. Although realistically next year is better to add salary, they could pull it in a year after a record breaking season, both from wins and profits. 
 

Personally I would try to extend some guys. Mis, Frelick, Turang, etc., not sure all their status but look at that group.

My top choice is probably Freddy. He might sign maybe 5 years $100m which is an under pay but it’s offset by the raise he gets in 2026 from $8m and he gets his big payday without another year at risk for arm injury. 

Patrick for the exact Peralta contract dollar for dollar would be smart too.

[Devinep]

Like the playoffs showed in an even bigger way, a strong hitter is definitely needed. Here’s a list of potentially available/affordable hitters who could be in the middle of the order while not blocking all of the prospects coming up within the next 2 seasons:

-Brandon Lowe- 1B/2B with Turang playing some SS

-Jarren Duran 

-Cody Bellinger-ideal fit if not too $

-Max Muncy-If LA upgrades 3B

-Jorge Polanco - might have to DH too much to fit 

 

[Lloyd330]

Duran would cost more that people would like

It would probably start with Pratt/Henderson and then a lottery ticket in Ebel/letson and probably perkins

[TURBO]

Muncy has been hurt a LOT the past two seasons. (73 games played in 2023 and 100 in 2024) For that reason, unless he comes cheap, REALLY cheap, I don't think he's worth the risk for what he will probably cost.

I'd be shocked if the Dodgers don't bring him back, but more than likely they will be in on that 3B from Japan, so it's possible...

[ClosetBrewerFan]

This would be highly unlikely, but what about Willson Contreras? He probably would not cost that much in a trade but his contract might be too much for the Brewers. An interdivision trade seems unlikely and he has a no trade clause but one would think he'd waive it to play with his brother. We would have to non-tender Vaughn and Bauers.  He is a solid bat with power and would like great in the middle of our lineup.  I doubt it would happen but interesting to consider.

[TURBO]

1 hour ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

This would be highly unlikely, but what about Willson Contreras? He probably would not cost that much in a trade but his contract might be too much for the Brewers. An interdivision trade seems unlikely and he has a no trade clause but one would think he'd waive it to play with his brother. We would have to non-tender Vaughn and Bauers.  He is a solid bat with power and would like great in the middle of our lineup.  I doubt it would happen but interesting to consider.

He's also a grade A douchebag.

Pass.

[Redd Vencher]

5 hours ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

This would be highly unlikely, but what about Willson Contreras? He probably would not cost that much in a trade but his contract might be too much for the Brewers. An interdivision trade seems unlikely and he has a no trade clause but one would think he'd waive it to play with his brother. We would have to non-tender Vaughn and Bauers.  He is a solid bat with power and would like great in the middle of our lineup.  I doubt it would happen but interesting to consider.

Contreras has 2 years left + a club option with a guaranteed $37 M. ($18 M, $18.5 M, $5 M buyout of $17.5 M) it's a comtract the Brewers could certainly afford. The Brewers aren't non tendering Vaughn, so they'd have to feel comfortable with Yelich getting more time in LF going forward if they did grab Contreras.

[wntrtxn21]

8 hours ago, Redd Vencher said:

Contreras has 2 years left + a club option with a guaranteed $37 M. ($18 M, $18.5 M, $5 M buyout of $17.5 M) it's a comtract the Brewers could certainly afford. The Brewers aren't non tendering Vaughn, so they'd have to feel comfortable with Yelich getting more time in LF going forward if they did grab Contreras.

There is zero chance the Brewers throw away $41.5M on Wilson Contreras. 

[Scooterfletcher]

57 minutes ago, wntrtxn21 said:

There is zero chance the Brewers throw away $41.5M on Wilson Contreras. 

Agreed.   Vaughn gets 1B for next year at least other than potentially a Bauer type platoon mate.  

[Jopal78]

In the last ten years the Brewers have signed 1 free agent with a total guarantee of more than 50 million dollars. Anybody truly expecting them to dip their toes in the first wave of free agency hasn’t been paying attention and will likely be disappointed. Arnold doesn’t start shopping until late January.

Brian Anderson: January 23

Luke Voit: February 21

Hoskins: January 26

Junis: February 7

Elvin Rodriguez: January 17

Gary Sanchez: February 21

Tyler Anderson: February 15

Quintana: March 5

 

 

[Redd Vencher]

3 hours ago, wntrtxn21 said:

There is zero chance the Brewers throw away $41.5M on Wilson Contreras. 

They spent $34 M on Hoskins coming off major injury. I don't think it happens because they think what Vaughn showed post trade is somewhat real, and it would mean moving Yelich off the DH spot more regularly. The money is not an issue, and his performance over the last 4 seasons at the plate is right in line with what many think the Brewers need to add. (130 wRC+ 20+ HR over a full season) I'm sure the rebuilding Cardinals would like to get out from under his contract, but he's got a NTC and he refused to waive it last offseason.

[TURBO]

4 hours ago, Redd Vencher said:

The money is not an issue...

Dude...

[Redd Vencher]

5 hours ago, TURBO said:

Dude...

Dude,,,

[Scooterfletcher]

6 hours ago, Redd Vencher said:

Dude,,,

Turbo is having a rough few weeks it appears and is probably going through some tough times right now.  It’s normal to be aggressive and confrontational (for him) as a coping mechanism.  Don’t let it get you down, Redd, and keep throwing out ideas for us to consider this off season.  The rest of BF appreciates having ideas/players to think about.

[TURBO]

3 hours ago, Scooterfletcher said:

Turbo is having a rough few weeks it appears and is probably going through some tough times right now.  It’s normal to be aggressive and confrontational (for him) as a coping mechanism.  Don’t let it get you down, Redd, and keep throwing out ideas for us to consider this off season.  The rest of BF appreciates having ideas/players to think about.

That comment is just plain weird...

Anyway, since you commented, so you think that money is not an issue in signing Wilson Contreras?  You are with Redd, we can just pay 40 million for a guy like Wilson, on the downside of his career when we already have Vaughn, who more than likely will exceed anything Wilson has to offer at a fraction of the cost?

You think money is not an issue?

Seriously?

Anyone that posts that money is not an issue when it comes to the Milwaukee Brewers signing anyone is just a little bit out of touch with this team and how it operates.

Dude...

 

[Scooterfletcher]

I don’t have any interest in the other Contreras and don’t see it happening.   They could come up with 40-50 million for some outside addition though easily.   It’s your demeanor on here that comes off as middle school ish.   Learn how to say, “I disagree” in a less confrontational way unless you are using this forum as a route to handle anger problems or something.   Your vitriol toward posters that root like the dickens for the team you like is the only thing “weird”.

[Lloyd330]

Wilson Contreras???   What are we doing here

[Redd Vencher]

4 hours ago, TURBO said:

That comment is just plain weird...

Anyway, since you commented, so you think that money is not an issue in signing Wilson Contreras?  You are with Redd, we can just pay 40 million for a guy like Wilson, on the downside of his career when we already have Vaughn, who more than likely will exceed anything Wilson has to offer at a fraction of the cost?

You think money is not an issue?

Seriously?

Anyone that posts that money is not an issue when it comes to the Milwaukee Brewers signing anyone is just a little bit out of touch with this team and how it operates.

Dude...

 

Dude...

[Scooterfletcher]

13 hours ago, Redd Vencher said:

 

[duewizard]

It will never ever happen but saw someone propose it on Twitter: James Wood for Peña and Pratt. Thoughts? I think I'd do it