2026 Offseason and Beyond Trade/Free Agent Ideas

[nate82]

51 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

Agreed, he isn't going to be expensive so as a 4th OF he is fine, no one will give us great value and I don't think a rebound back to a .280-.300 hitter is a stretch at all. I could see the team exploring him playing some 3B again this offseason as well. If we possibly got a really good offer for Hamilton he could be an occasion backup or spot start for Joey at 3B until Made is ready.

With the shoulder injury I’m not sure Frelick can play 3B even in an emergency.  Right now his throws have no power behind them.  It’s bad for a RF it would be a colossal mistake to put him at 3B with that weak arm.

If his throws don’t improve you have to move him to LF and that is already occupied by a far better player both offensively and defensively considering Sal’s arm is basically a pool noodle. 

[liveforoctober]

5 hours ago, cragi said:

Frelick and Mitchell being first rounders with speed and defense, and starters on a likely WS champion with plenty of contract left has to be interesting to someone.

Mitchell screams "sell high" to me. Lara is signed and probably needs a starting job. Between Frelick and Mitchell ... Mitchell will bring back more I would think? Unless we go back to the Boston well ... Sal would be loved there.

[TURBO]

6 hours ago, cragi said:

I dont know how much influence Murph has on keeping players. Frelick is a good clubhouse guy whose injuries would make selling low tougher right now. But they should be listening to offers on both Frelick and Mitchell. Lara is signed long term or I would say him as well. Too much value in any of those 3 to sit on the bench or platoon for the next few years, and we need to have roster room. Any would be a big trading chip to a team with excess pitching or catching talent.

Doesn't matter to me if we have Lara signed long term, if anything, that might bump his trade value.  He's fair game to be traded too if we get the right offer.  I'd trade Mitchell or Frelick as well.

[cragi]

1 hour ago, TURBO said:

Doesn't matter to me if we have Lara signed long term, if anything, that might bump his trade value.  He's fair game to be traded too if we get the right offer.  I'd trade Mitchell or Frelick as well.

Even if Lara were to be the weakest of the 3, having a solid outfielder locked up for 7 years at dirt cheap has a lot more value to the club than comparable guys about to hit arbitration

[jay87shot]

5 hours ago, nate82 said:

With the shoulder injury I’m not sure Frelick can play 3B even in an emergency.  Right now his throws have no power behind them.  It’s bad for a RF it would be a colossal mistake to put him at 3B with that weak arm.

If his throws don’t improve you have to move him to LF and that is already occupied by a far better player both offensively and defensively considering Sal’s arm is basically a pool noodle. 

I am thinking he probably has surgery and gets most of his arm strength back, I know the labrum can be a tricky getting back to normal. I do think with that in mind it might be hard to work at any IF if he does have that procedure and isn't healthy in the winter. Altough a surgery could mean a missed season as well if it is a full blown procedure.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Make William a Brewer for Life.  That is all

[SF70]

Now that we have a title let’s go for more. 

Spend this season’s playoff-revenue on retaining key FO personnel, coaches and payroll. 

Even without Jake Bauers, this is a ‘27 World Championship favorite. The experience gained has made them an unstoppable juggernaut.

[jay87shot]

Run it back as much as possible, Bauers QO. Unless blown away in a deal for Megill or Joey/Hamilton keep the team together. We could try and turn some depth into a starter upgrade but for me the big thing is to stay the course. Don't overspend on vets and pay them for what they have done, spend on youth and what they will do for us. Be the Brewers, don't think like the others teams. It is said but William and Megill are likely gone after next year, the championship and strong system makes it so we can keep them this year and take a comp pick if it is there next year.

[Frisbee Slider]

Keep Contreras for final year

Megill for $8 million next year? Probably don’t need to bring him back. His trade value will be modest.

Bauers: QO, at most. Probably much better off keeping Vaughn and letting one of our prospects take over 1B. 

Woodruff: At a discount, if he wants to return. Can’t imagine another $20 MM season

May: Actually, maybe. But of course fine with him leaving.

Romero: Someone will overpay him. Probably can’t have Romero and Megill.

Senzatela: $14 MM club option? Pass.

Sanchez: Probably fine but I doubt he picks up his end of mutual option 

 

[Mr Southpaw]

Keep Contreras  3/$70 He is only 32 at the end of that contract.

Megill for $8 million next year? The a QO after 2027

Bauers: QO, at most.  He probably takes it. Who wants to get booed for 4 years in New York?

Woodruff: At a discount, Big discount, 2/$8 w a team option on the second year.

May: Actually, maybe. Big discount only

Romero: Someone will overpay him. Correct

Senzatela: $14 MM club option? Pass.  Correct

Sanchez: Probably fine but I doubt he picks up his end of mutual option Who doesn't like to win?

 

[igor67]

Winning hasn't changed my thoughts in general on any of the players. Mostly you try and run it back, but not with the midseason guys there you try and keep turning over the roster from within. Go 1 more year with Bill and enjoy it. If Bauers wants back with the QO great if not keep Vaughn as a hedge and go young to find the next guy. 

[Team Canada]

1 hour ago, Mr Southpaw said:

Keep Contreras  3/$70 He is only 32 at the end of that contract.

There's no way Contreras signs for 3 years.

[cragi]

Contreras: 3/$75 max offer, probably gone. Keep him next year regardless

Frelick/Mitchell: Love them but need to flip one of these guys for prospects to keep the farm loaded and to make room for Adamczewski/Payne. 

Megill: not feeling a QO or major extension. Listen to any significant offers but keep for one year unless he's reasonably low in price

Woodruff: He got his ring but im not risking more than $5M again with heavy incentives. We just dont need to tie up cash on someone who hasnt meaningfully pitched in 3 years

Bauers: min QO but we have way too many guys to fill that position right now. Just not a great roster fit.  

Fischer/Burke/Adams: one of these guys should be flipped

Senzatela/Romero/May/Sanchez: Seek a team-friendly deal, but they likely walk

[owbc]

I'd try to sign Contreras tomorrow. Offer him a lifetime contract in the $120 million range. 

[jay87shot]

Contreras= keep, QO gone after 2027

Megill= Set the price high, probably around what we got for Burnes and if anyone gets close a trade is likely. I doubt would mind if we keep for the year even if he isn't a likely QO player as a reliever.

Bauers= I think him accepting a QO actually might be possible, however he likely get like 3/60 or better on the open market. If we lose Bauers I think we keep Vaughn and break in Burke and Fischer as platoon mates at various parts of the year.

Woody= I feel like the is a chance come back on like a 1/2 milly deal however I wouldn't pay for him and his numbers look good that some desperate team could give him an incentive based deal that has some good value.

IF= Joey/Hamilton= I would take the same approach as Megill set the price high for either player, if we get and overpay, great. If we keep both great as well, both players would be tradable in like May/June if Made torches AAA and forces his way up (or signs a longterm deal)

Sal/Mitchell= I think we keep both, Josh A. and Payne need most of the year and we have seen how easy it is for an OF to have injury issues. With no Bauers as an emergency and Yeli past his OF days, Mitchell was healthy but is far from a sure thing. The current 4 man OF is great and is cheap so unless someone just gives an insane amount for Mitchell (I wouldn't trade low on Frelick unless you think his arm injury is the beginning of the end) I would keep the OF in tact.

Additions= I would love to add a veteran SP like Sandy Alcantara or Joe Ryan if the price doesn't get to huge but my guess is it would. I trust Arnold can find a couple young controllable quality arms that just provide depth either in the rotation or pen. I wouldn't go crazy and spend a ton of money but it does seem like we have depth at certain areas to try and turn some depth into a higher end player, nothing to crazy.

Extensions=This should be the #1 focus on young player extensions, I think Brice, William, and Misi have likely already priced themselves out of town. However Henderson, Gasser, Abner, Harrison, Hall could all be candidates for extensions like Freddy and Ashby signed a couple years. Add in at least starting talks with Made and other top prospects to possibly do what we did with Pratt and Lara as in season extensions (or maybe even in the offseason). This is were the extra money should be spent.

Crazy Idea= Any chance that if we lost lower level coach we could make Yeli a player/coach over the next couple years and maybe he would be a candidate to take over for Murph somewhere down the road. I am not sure if he is assertive enough to be a head coach but it is interesting to at least think about.

[DR28]

https://x.com/spotrac/status/2115792623717789966?a=M0TRJo6ubvN8je1uRKk&s=20

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

I'd offer Bill a 4/110 extension, with his next year $15m number, that becomes 5/125...   Would make him the highest AAV player to play catcher.  The intangibles that he brings to this team are just off the charts, and he showed up when it mattered most offensively.

Bauers-  QO, absolutely.  He cooled off at the end, but a core pillar for us.  I saw baseball America speculating that he'd be a 3/$48 player.

Megill-  keep for next year.  Our bullpen was insane.  Hard to keep any of our bullpen guys in FA.  I think having the quartet of Hall, Uribe, Ashby, and Megill was the difference.  Absolutely keep that group together for 2027.  

Set, Jojo, May... let them walk.  I'd maybe be interested in a 1/$5M deal with them, but I'm guessing all will do better on the open market

Vaughn-  Given his minimal role in the playoffs, I'd probably look to trade.

Sal/Mitchell-  I'd keep for 1 more year

Ortiz/Hamilton-  both were hot/cold this year.  I'd keep both for 2027

I agree on the potential extensions for Henderson, Gasser, Abner, Harrison, Hall... and if we can sign Made

[GAME05]

I hear "run it back" and I think of the Bucks trying to do just that and what that turned out to be. Feelings aside you've still gotta stick to the strategy which got us here in the first place. I can probably understand giving Contreras another year then letting him walk just to avoid a Hader/morale issue, but I sure wouldn't give $25m long-term to a guy who is clearly going to hit a wall hard as much as he plays.

Sal and Mitchell are redundant with Lara taking over CF full-time. I'd probably let Murphy decide in which case we'd probably keep Frelick. But he's still better as a Util OF than a starter.

That Hamilton is more of a Brewers-way player I could see Ortiz moving on, plus I think he'll be happier starting at SS somewhere else. Not only a more valuable position when he hits FA but happier not getting bumped down all the time.

[PBTank]

Contreras:  Definitely bring him back for 2027.  Would have to be blown away with an offer to even considering trading him.  Offer him the QO for 2028 or try to retain with a 3 yr deal.  I'm sure he would fair much better in the open market.

1B;   Definitely offer Bauers the QO.  I wouldn't want them to do more than a 2 year deal or maybe tack on a 3rd year club option.  If he stays, Trade Vaughn and bring up Adams to be the RH bench / platoon partner.  If Bauers leaves, go with Vaughn in 2027 with initially Black at the LHH bench / platoon partner.  Later on, either Burke or Fischer would replace Black.

Megill:  Also keep him for 2027 unless there is an offer that can't be refused.

Set JoJo & May:  Let them all walk.

Ortiz:  The only player I would be actively shopping (other than the Bauers stays and Vaughn goes).  If there are any teams that value him as a starting MLB SS, his value isn't going to be higher.  Keep in mind he is one half of a platoon that hits in the 9th spot.  In the organization, there is Jett and Wilkins who could be the RHH platoon.  Also, go sign this year's Rengifo.  The Urias brother could come cheap or someone like Moncada.  Let them all fight it out in Spring Training. Regardless, they including Hamilton are just holding the postition for Made.

Other additions would include pitching.  Get one veteran pitcher to handle spot starts / long relief.  Woodruff would be the clear choice on a very team friendly contract with incentives.  Find some controllable power bullpen pitchers.  While only actively trading Oritz and possibly Vaughn, they are still listening on other players including Mitchell / Frelick, Megill, etc.  One other name I've been liking they to get is C Eduardo Tait from Minnesota.  He's going to be buried behind Lackey so might be able to get him for the post Contreras era.

Along with the crazy idea, look to have Yelich retire after the 2027 season.  Convert his $26 million salary into a lifetime "representative" position.  Could go into coaching, the front office, or just be the guy who makes appearances and represents the team.

[TURBO]

5 hours ago, Mr Southpaw said:

Woodruff: At a discount, Big discount, 2/$8 w a team option on the second year.

 

No thanks, time to turn that page...  I'd do a one year deal for 4 million max, but no multiple year deals.

Thanks for your time Woody!

[Brewcrew82]

I think I'd be willing to pay Contreras to his age 34 season or so. His brother just had a career type season at 34 and they are very similar as players. 

Just realize, that like his brother, you're almost certainly going to have to move him off catcher towards the end of that deal. 

Maybe 5/100 gets it done? That surpasses his brother fwiw. Not in the neighborhood of Yeli's deal. Basically Lorenzo Cain's deal indexed to inflation.

I'm definitely out on Quero and not a believer in Dinges, so it makes sense with the bonus postseason revenue. Just can't come at the expense of Jesus Made imo. 

I would totally understand if they were fine playing out his last arb year, too. They have shown the ability to coach up catchers in the past (including William himself). Paying catchers past the age of 30 is such a historically risky proposition. 

[owbc]

2 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

I think I'd be willing to pay Contreras to his age 34 season or so. His brother just had a career type season at 34 and they are very similar as players. 

Just realize, that like his brother, you're almost certainly going to have to move him off catcher towards the end of that deal. 

Maybe 5/100 gets it done? That surpasses his brother fwiw. Not in the neighborhood of Yeli's deal. Basically Lorenzo Cain's deal indexed to inflation.

I'm definitely out on Quero and not a believer in Dinges, so it makes sense with the bonus postseason revenue. Just can't come at the expense of Jesus Made imo. 

I would totally understand if they were fine playing out his last arb year, too. They have shown the ability to coach up catchers in the past (including William himself). Paying catchers past the age of 30 is such a historically risky proposition. 

A week or two ago I was arguing for letting Bill walk because of the financial numbers, but our financial situation is pretty good right now so I think we can get away with offering him the extension and still being able to extend whichever of our prospects are willing. I can't imagine a $100M FA signing that would offer us more benefit than what we get from Bill. 

I doubt any prospects are going to sign until the new CBA so in the short term we can only spend money on the major league roster and with everyone still on this high from the championship, maybe we can get some team friendly stuff inked. Contreras could make a huge amount of money in FA next year, especially if there is a salary minimum and 8-10 teams need to spend up to hit the minimum. So I think if we're going to get him extended we need to do it ASAP. 

Maybe Bauers accepts the QO, you never know. From his perspective there could be some strategy in hitting FA in the year that the minimum goes in, so you take your $23 million paycheck to run it back with the same group and bet on yourself to have another good year.