2026 Offseason and Beyond Trade/Free Agent Ideas

[jay87shot]

It's clearly to early for anything substantive but I am always up for a discussion on potential roster moves.

Do we trade Contreras, Vaughn, and/or Megill in their last season of control?

What are potentially viable ways to improve a team that has depth, youth, and decent quality at every position?

[Matt]

I think the Naylor deal might have been a hint at where they're going with Contreras. I understand that Naylor has yet to light it up at the MLB level, but he's at least solid behind the plate. Him and Quero could make for the tandem at catcher. 

Megill should have value. I don't think Vaughn will. 

[owbc]

Feels like we're about to go very heavy on the youth movement. There might be less roster turnover than usual going into 2027. 

[jay87shot]

51 minutes ago, Matt said:

I think the Naylor deal might have been a hint at where they're going with Contreras. I understand that Naylor has yet to light it up at the MLB level, but he's at least solid behind the plate. Him and Quero could make for the tandem at catcher. 

Megill should have value. I don't think Vaughn will. 

I would really like to keep William 1 more year but agree the Naylor trade is likely foreshadowing of a trade. I would guess that Contreras should get a similar return to Freddy and Megill around Devin in terms of value. 

I think 1st base is the biggest question mark. Bauers is likely going to get a deal similar to Ryan O'Hearn and be gone. I agree Vaughn wouldnt have a ton of value, maybe a decent middle relief arm. With Adams, Burke, and Fischer we could trade Vaughn or just keep him to maintain some consistency.

I think Ashby could be a candidate to trade as his salary become more for a reliever. If we do trade Megill and Ashby we would really need some quality young bullpen arms.

I don't think we could trade Yeli but it would be likely the best avenue to potentially improve an offense position.

 

[sveumrules]

Believe Naylor is just 3rd catcher depth because Quero hasn't been catching for over a month now and presumably the organization would prefer not to see Darrien Miller behind the dish during an MLB stretch run.

I'd guess the plan for next year is to ride Contreras for his final Arby's year with Quero easing in as the back up (assuming Jeferson is healthy enough to handle it). Then in 2028 Quero takes over as starter with Dinges easing in as the back up (assuming Jeferson and Marco are both healthy enough to handle it).

I'd personally keep Vaughn and Megill around too.

Contreras / Quero
Vaughn / Burke / Fischer / Adams
Turang / Pratt / Made / Ortiz / Jett
Chourio / Mitchell / Lara / Sal / Adamczewski
(yelich)

Misio / Harrison / Henderson / Drohan / Sproat / Gasser / Hardin
Megill / Uribe / Ashby / Patrick / Anderson / Hall / Crow 
(Gordon / Koenig / Rom / Stallings / Priester? / Wagoner?)

Not sure what kind of "big" external moves would really be out there to improve the position players with the youth infusion they have on the way. Best we can probably hope for is Bauers accepting a qualifying offer or  Contreras extending / re-signing in FA?

Can never have enough pitching so I'd imagine they'll be adding more there whether its the typical reclamation project kind of guys or maybe cashing in some of the prospect depth for more of an established and controllable arm. 

[wallus]

I hope we continue to restock our young pitching by trading with the Red Sox

[Brewcrew82]

Do not sell low on Contreras. With Quero's arm cooked, ride him out during his contract year and then extend him the QO on his way out. Same as Adames. 

[Outlander]

Said it before when it happend but the Naylor trade has minimal to no impact on Contreras. They probably go the Adames route and stick with Contreras in 2027. Naylor will be fighting to keep a 40 man spot in 2027.

Megill has a better possibility of being traded getting up there in years at 33 and in his final year. The Brewers though are pretty weak at RH relievers so would have to fill that need if trading Megill. There is some thought Ashby could be traded with his rising salary but hope not. 

Would consider offering Bauers the qualifying offer, one year at $21 million or so isn't too much a risk versus a multi year deal. However, would have Adams as the weak side platoon instead of Vaughn if Bauers is getting that type of salary.

Turang and Mitchell second year of aribtation so getting more expensive but still not too bad, would think Mitchell is the higher chance of being traded since he is a free agent after the 2028 season.

 

[PBTank]

I've been saying for a while now that 2028 could be the sweet spot for the Brewers.  They have so much controllable starting pitching that will all be around their arbitration years.  Miz, Harrison, Henderson, Drohan, Sproat, Gasser, Patrick, Preister, Crow makes nine who already have MLB experience.  It also leaves room for injuries to the group.  Not to mention getting another quality starter from Boston this offseason (wink ;) ).  Even with a modest progression, they could be one of the finest rotations in baseball.

Add to that the offense that is rising through the minors.  Catcher seems to be a question mark going forward. Does Contreras get dealt this offseason?  Or do they hold onto him and recoup a draft pick when he leaves in free agency?  Possibly, everything changes with the new CBA.  Is there a world where revenue sharing is split more evenly between the teams so small market teams can now compete for the better free agents.  Time will only tell.  I like the addition of Naylor.  He's a left-handed bat which will compliment whoever else the Brewers move forward with.  If the Brewers keep him in the minor for the rest of the season, Naylor will not start his arbitration years this offseason.

I envision at trio of Adams, Fischer, and Burke being much like Vaughn, Bauers, and Yelich with two of them getting starts at 1B and DH each game.  Although, Yelich will still be with the team due to the contract in 2028.  The new trio also have the ability for a couple of them to also get starts at 3B.

Middle infielders of Turang, Pratt, and Made will be awesome.  I'm foreseeing Made getting the bulk of his starts at 3B.

The outfield will have Chourio entrenched in it along with Lara at worst the 4th OF.  How long will they hold on to Mitchell and Frelick as Adamczewski, Payne, and Strosnider work their way to the team.

I'm excited for the future of this team while currently watching arguably one of the best Brewer teams of all time.  It's a great time to be a Brewers fan.

[Devinep]

It will be hard to add too much while still giving runway for the top prospects to get chances in the bigs. All while still trying to keep making the playoffs and competing.

[Mr Southpaw]

1 hour ago, Outlander said:

Said it before when it happend but the Naylor trade has minimal to no impact on Contreras. They probably go the Adames route and stick with Contreras in 2027. Naylor will be fighting to keep a 40 man spot in 2027.

Megill has a better possibility of being traded getting up there in years at 33 and in his final year. The Brewers though are pretty weak at RH relievers so would have to fill that need if trading Megill. There is some thought Ashby could be traded with his rising salary but hope not. 

Would consider offering Bauers the qualifying offer, one year at $21 million or so isn't too much a risk versus a multi year deal. However, would have Adams as the weak side platoon instead of Vaughn if Bauers is getting that type of salary.

Turang and Mitchell second year of aribtation so getting more expensive but still not too bad, would think Mitchell is the higher chance of being traded since he is a free agent after the 2028 season.

 

I would offer these in a trade: Vaughn, Megill and Mitchell.

Vaughn because he is too expensive for what he does.  Megill because I don't trust older pitchers arms. And Mitchell because (if he doesn't get hurt the rest of the year) he will be worth the most he will ever be worth. 

I would not mind offering Bauer the QO or just a 2 year $24 million deal.  Maybe a team option in the second year with a payout?

[wallus]

Mitchell is going to have a small Arby's number next year because of the injuries 

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

6 hours ago, Mr Southpaw said:

I would offer these in a trade: Vaughn, Megill and Mitchell.

Vaughn because he is too expensive for what he does.  Megill because I don't trust older pitchers arms. And Mitchell because (if he doesn't get hurt the rest of the year) he will be worth the most he will ever be worth. 

I would not mind offering Bauer the QO or just a 2 year $24 million deal.  Maybe a team option in the second year with a payout?

Is that what Ryan O’Hearn got with the Pirates?  I would do 2/24 for Bauers.

or maybe..:

2027:  $12M
2028: $15M with $6M buyout (team option)

[TURBO]

8 hours ago, Mr Southpaw said:

Vaughn because he is too expensive for what he does. 

Except, we don't know what he'd do in a full time role at 1B and/or DH.

He might be an absolute bargain for 10 million if he plays every day, but in our current managerial decision making, we'll never know.

[TURBO]

49 minutes ago, TwinsBrewersWorldSeries said:

Is that what Ryan O’Hearn got with the Pirates?  I would do 2/24 for Bauers.

or maybe..:

2027:  $12M
2028: $15M with $6M buyout (team option)

I can't help but think that after the year Bauers has had, he'll get a 3 year deal someplace, maybe 3 at 36?  We should not do that, 2 is max I'd consider.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

The discussion that no one wants to have is whether Yelich holding a roster spot becomes too much of a negative asset. If he is DH only and putting up a 0 WAR, that’s a tough way to eat up a 26-man roster spot.

Might that mean a release sometime in 2027, eating the expensive remainder of the contract and turning it into dead money? If the active rosters are expanded to 28 in the upcoming CBA, that could change the calculations. Same with any salary cap/floor possibilities. Not a prediction that I’d want to make, but it may be something in consideration.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Next CBA most likely won’t have the QO. 

[PBTank]

Would it be a good time to bring Adams up for a week and insert him at 3B?  Ortiz and Hamilton could platoon at SS until Pratt is ready to come back.  I know starting Adams MLB clock and having to place him on the 40 man roster may be an unpleasant idea.  But, I'd like to see him for a week or so.  He would be theoretically batting in the 8th spot which would be nice to have some power there.

Just a thought I've been having.

[CheezWizHed]

I don't know how much value Ashby has in a trade given his cost is more in line with an SP then RP.  And he isn't consistent enough to be relied upon as a closer.  

I'd keep Contreras.

I was on the trade Megill bandwagon last year as he looked like he was regressing.  He proved me wrong so far, but that doesn't mean you don't ship him out for the right package.  

[wntrtxn21]

This is all predicated on there actually being a season in 2027.  If they can re-sign Bauers for something like 3/$27M-$30M I'd do that deal. I think Vaughn is going to be too expensive for a backup if they get Bauers. In a major deal, trade Contreras and Frelick/Mitchell looking for a power hitting RF or 3B. Ashby - Hall - Koenig - Anderson - Gasser - Sproat - Crow could go in the right deals. Hamilton - Jett to sweeten some major deal. See how May performs and look at re-signing him for 2-3 years if he does well. Miz-Harrison-Henderson-May (maybe) - Priester looks like a mighty good rotation! Milwaukee has the right stuff to make a couple of major deals in the off season and be a powerhouse once again in 2027.

[owbc]

1 hour ago, wntrtxn21 said:

This is all predicated on there actually being a season in 2027.  If they can re-sign Bauers for something like 3/$27M-$30M I'd do that deal. I think Vaughn is going to be too expensive for a backup if they get Bauers. In a major deal, trade Contreras and Frelick/Mitchell looking for a power hitting RF or 3B. Ashby - Hall - Koenig - Anderson - Gasser - Sproat - Crow could go in the right deals. Hamilton - Jett to sweeten some major deal. See how May performs and look at re-signing him for 2-3 years if he does well. Miz-Harrison-Henderson-May (maybe) - Priester looks like a mighty good rotation! Milwaukee has the right stuff to make a couple of major deals in the off season and be a powerhouse once again in 2027.

Bauers' season is nuts. I keep thinking it must be a flash in the pan but there's nothing in the underlying data that would suggest it's a fluke. His savant page is full of reds, he's got even splits, and he's been consistent for quite a while now so pitchers haven't been able to adjust. 

My fear is that he's played himself into the 3/40M+ range, but it will all depend on how teams weigh his 2026 season vs. his broader career. I also see a scenario where it could be much more than that depending on how the CBA goes. 

For O'Hearn, the Pirates are paying for a .340-.350 wOBA. Bauers is at .381 actual vs. .370 expected. And his xwOBA was .354 in 2025 so it's not like he's completely a one year wonder. Those are Pete Alonso type numbers. 

My gut says don't pay it. The falloff is usually steep and painful when these guys lose a bit of bat speed in their early 30s. If it was in the 20s of millions then absolutely, but I don't think it will be. If there's a salary floor in the CBA then Bauers could be looking at $50-60M if there are suddenly 6-8 new suitors that need to sign FAs to get to the minimum. That's half the reason Pittsburgh signed O'Hearn in the first place -- they know what's coming and what it will mean for mid-priced FAs. 

[Playing Catch]

Can I get some links from verifiable sources inside the league or MLBPA that are predicting that their red-line, public statements are anything more than typical pre-negotiation bluster?

I've seen the reports after the deadline that there are enough middle-class owners pissed at the Dodgers that they will go after them with a salary cap. But that threat is directed toward the Dodgers, and are ostensibly built from fruatration with competitive balance, not with the players.

I don't think the players give a crap about revenue-sharing/competitive balance so long as there isn't something called "a salary cap," after the CBA is complete, and that they get a slightly improved situation so that their constituents keep getting paid a great wage for a great job come April.

I honestly believe anyone that even whispers, "no season in '27," isn't looking at things very realistically, and is just fear-casting.

[owbc]

6 hours ago, Playing Catch said:

Can I get some links from verifiable sources inside the league or MLBPA that are predicting that their red-line, public statements are anything more than typical pre-negotiation bluster?

I've seen the reports after the deadline that there are enough middle-class owners pissed at the Dodgers that they will go after them with a salary cap. But that threat is directed toward the Dodgers, and are ostensibly built from fruatration with competitive balance, not with the players.

I don't think the players give a crap about revenue-sharing/competitive balance so long as there isn't something called "a salary cap," after the CBA is complete, and that they get a slightly improved situation so that their constituents keep getting paid a great wage for a great job come April.

I honestly believe anyone that even whispers, "no season in '27," isn't looking at things very realistically, and is just fear-casting.

I strongly agree. 

There also seems to be quite a bit of wishful thinking from Brewers fans that the new CBA will be advantageous to us, but most of the suggestions seem to be the opposite.

Reduced team control? Bad for us.
Salary floor? Bad for us. 
International draft? Bad for us. 
Salary cap? Depends if it comes with revenue sharing and the way that revenue is redistributed

I doubt there will be many owners advocating to help the Brewers. 

[nate82]

11 minutes ago, owbc said:

Reduced team control? Bad for us.
Salary floor? Bad for us. 
International draft? Bad for us. 
Salary cap? Depends if it comes with revenue sharing and the way that revenue is redistributed

Reduced team control I agree is bad for the Brewers.

Salary floor wouldn’t be bad for the Brewers.

I agree on the international draft but I don’t see the MLBPA approving this.

The cap obviously would help some.  There is still the issue Milwaukee is not a desirable destination.

More revenue sharing is coming at least with MLB’s last proposal.  All media local and national would be split evenly between all the teams and split with the players 50/50.  

[owbc]

22 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Reduced team control I agree is bad for the Brewers.

Salary floor wouldn’t be bad for the Brewers.

I agree on the international draft but I don’t see the MLBPA approving this.

The cap obviously would help some.  There is still the issue Milwaukee is not a desirable destination.

More revenue sharing is coming at least with MLB’s last proposal.  All media local and national would be split evenly between all the teams and split with the players 50/50.  

I’m assuming the floor would be below our current payroll, so a floor would force more spending by our competition without giving us any boost.

Even distribution of local media revenue would be incredibly good for the Brewers (historically last in local revenue) and crippling for the Dodgers (first in local revenue). Sign me up.