Should The Brewers Take Their Cue From An Old HGTV Hit This Offseason?

[Harold Hutchison]

Image courtesy of Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It might seem too early to think about the offseason, but in Milwaukee’s case, it may be time to at least make a plan, no matter what happens in October. In this case, it’s time for the Brewers to consider whether it's time to “flip” some of their assets. This might seem cold-blooded, but with a lot of talent forcing their way up, the Brewers may want to figure out how to secure solid returns—and planning for the moves is far preferable to a rushed deal on the fly.

So, whom might Milwaukee want to move? Here are some of the most likely candidates.

RHP Grant Anderson
Anderson’s been a mainstay of the Brewers’ bullpen since coming over in the 2024-2025 offseason. Yet, his time may be running short. He was optioned to Triple-A Nashville when Kyle Harrison returned from the injured list, though he returned after Abner Uribe went on the shelf this weekend. In the long run, Anderson’s best contribution to Milwaukee may be to be dealt for some prospects to recharge a farm system after the most recent flurry of deals.

The trade value of middle relievers is always relatively low, but finding an interested suitor this winter shouldn't be a problem. While Anderson is maybe the fifth choice out of the Brewers bullpen (behind Trevor Megill, Uribe, Chad Patrick, and Aaron Ashby), he would probably rank higher in 20 or so other relief units. Meanwhile, the Brewers could be shifting to more multi-inning firemen out of the bullpen, given the wealth of potential starters in the system. If nothing else, they should be able to find the next Anderson relatively reliably; getting even a bit of value from him would help the team keep its perpetual-motion development machine going.

LHP Aaron Ashby
It’s not that Ashby hasn’t been valuable. He’s a multi-inning fireman who leads the National League in wins. In fact, one could say the Brewers, to date, have gotten a good return on their long-term extension. But the dollars are about to get bigger, and the chances of Ashby being healthy and productive are trending (if anything) the other way.

If both of the club options are exercised, Ashby's contract will earn him $29.5 million over the next three seasons. He’s been very good in the bullpen, but should the Brewers be paying a reliever almost $10 million a season? Even the $7.5 million he'll make in 2027 is more than the team is paying all but four players this year.

The Brewers dealt Josh Hader, an all-time great closer, when he was picking up $11 million in 2022. Let’s face it: the Brewers aren’t the Dodgers or Yankees, and Ashby has more value to a team whose payroll leaves more room to breathe. Unless the team thinks they can convert him back to a starter, they should snap up a high-end prospect for him this winter.

IF Joey Ortiz
Ortiz has rebounded, after struggling at the plate for a season and a half as the Brewers’ regular starter at shortstop. Since the All-Star break, he's batting .340/.416/.660, albeit in just 58 plate appearances. This is good for him and the Brewers, since the team has been bitten hard by the infield injury bug lately. It doesn't necessarily mean he's back in the middle of their long-term plans, though.

Every winter, several teams hunt for a solid shortstop, third baseman, or utility player, and the Brewers may want to flip Ortiz if they find that the prospective returns reflect that demand—particularly with Andrew Fischer and Luke Adams knocking at the door. This offseason may be their best chance.

OF Garrett Mitchell
Garrett Mitchell has been a great player when he’s on the field. This year, for the first time in what feels like forever, he's actually been on the field, and the results have held up better than many feared. As is true of Ortiz, though, Mitchell faces competition for long-term playing time from multiple players in whom the organization has invested more.

Luis Lara, a natural center fielder, signed a team-friendly contract extension this season and is currently filling in for the injured Sal Frelick in right field. Jackson Chourio inked a historic extension and is holding down left field. So, what happens to Mitchell? The team’s likely to eye one of Josh Adamczewski, Luis Pena, and Braylon Payne as a potential long-term fit in the outfield. Mitchell could well be on the market, as his salary begins to rise steeply via arbitration.

1B Andrew Vaughn
Could Vaughn be on the block, despite his resurgence with the Brewers? The team is facing some roster churn, with Jake Bauers set to be a free agent after 2026. They may elect to clear space for Blake Burke, Fischer, and/or Adams by also moving Vaughn.

Bauers’s ascension this year has led the Brewers to put Vaughn at third for a few games, which could add trade value if he proves competent there. Still, Vaughn will command a salary pushing toward eight figures via arbitration this winter. The Brewers may elect to let someone else pay that and get deeper in the minors, especially with potent power bats on their way up.

World football offers a good parallel for this situation. When non-elite clubs have great seasons in soccer, they still have to head into transfer windows between campaigns ready to sell some of their players. That frees up money to bring in more depth and bet on younger players, which can keep those teams competitive with unexpected consistency. The Brewers will have to do some of that this winter, but they'll still be hoping to keep their winning ways going in 2027 and beyond.

---

Do you think the Brewers should start flipping players in the offseason? Let us know in the comments below!

View full article

[PBTank]

I would say you could also add Contreras and Frelick to the list.  Also, teams are always looking for controllable starting pitching.  The Brewers could trade from that depth too. It may be a good way to shore up some parts of your organization’s depth where it’s lacking. 
 

also looming is the CBA.  Are teams going to be willing to make moves for players who they only control for the 2027 season.  Why trade a bucket full of prospects for Contreras when the 2027 may be lost or whittled down to 50 games?  Or will there be new rules regarding a salary cap or such that could also throw a wrench into team’s plans.  

[JimmyC]

Will the Brewers pay Bauers to stay?

[Harold Hutchison]

20 hours ago, PBTank said:

I would say you could also add Contreras and Frelick to the list.  Also, teams are always looking for controllable starting pitching.  The Brewers could trade from that depth too. It may be a good way to shore up some parts of your organization’s depth where it’s lacking. 
 

also looming is the CBA.  Are teams going to be willing to make moves for players who they only control for the 2027 season.  Why trade a bucket full of prospects for Contreras when the 2027 may be lost or whittled down to 50 games?  Or will there be new rules regarding a salary cap or such that could also throw a wrench into team’s plans.  

The CBA could also include a salary floor, which could alter the economic dynamics. I've seen figures of $150-$170 million for that, which are much higher than Milwaukee's current payroll.

The Brewers could keep Contreras and extend him, given that Yelich will likely not have his 2029 option picked up, and the Brewers will need veteran leadership.

[Harold Hutchison]

57 minutes ago, JimmyC said:

Will the Brewers pay Bauers to stay?

Over Fischer and/or Burke? I doubt it. Honestly, my hope is they give Bauers a QO and he declines.

[Brian]

30 minutes ago, Harold Hutchison said:

Over Fischer and/or Burke? I doubt it. Honestly, my hope is they give Bauers a QO and he declines.

Why can't they do performance incentives for a year?  Because:

Fischer is at minimum 2 years away being in Milwaukee and Burke has only 23 at bat's in Nashville.  So unless he go's nuts in Nashville will be 2 years away also. 

2.8K views · 187 reactions | A first look at that swing in his new...

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

---

A first look at that swing in his new ballpark 👀 Blake Burke took his first BP in Hit City today ⚾️

 

[Harold Hutchison]

1 hour ago, Brian said:

Why can't they do performance incentives for a year?  Because:

Fischer is at minimum 2 years away being in Milwaukee and Burke has only 23 at bat's in Nashville.  So unless he go's nuts in Nashville will be 2 years away also. 

2.8K views · 187 reactions | A first look at that swing in his new...

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

---

A first look at that swing in his new ballpark 👀 Blake Burke took his first BP in Hit City today ⚾️

 

If they need an interim 1B, Tyler Black could be an option. I wouldn't rule out mid-season promotions in 2027 for Burke and/or Fischer, either, especially if they hit like they did this year. Bauers is having a great year, and the Brewers do need to be budget-conscious more than other MLB teams.

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Harold Hutchison said:

If they need an interim 1B, Tyler Black could be an option. I wouldn't rule out mid-season promotions in 2027 for Burke and/or Fischer, either, especially if they hit like they did this year. Bauers is having a great year, and the Brewers do need to be budget-conscious more than other MLB teams.

Black sure isn't the answer unless he's a backup.  He can't even hit in AAA anymore like he used to be able to.  Vaughn will be here and Bauers shouldn't be that expensive to keep, also will be 31 by next season. Brewers always will make something work. 

[long ball]

Obviously could include the bigger names like Contreras and megill on this list too. 
 

I think it depends how this season and post season play out. If we go to the World Series or hell, win it, it’s going to be a very poor look for fan engagement to trade any of the major contributors. 
 

also with the CBA negotiations looming, who knows how active the trade market will be. Especially if things get delayed all the way till February/March. 
 

I’ll add one note on grant anderson since he’s probably the least interesting player mentioned here, if he retains that option (haven’t checked to see how long he spent in AAA) then there’s no reason to offload him. He’s a perfect guy to have in the pen in that role. Reasonably effective in low leverage, can fake it in medium leverage, has an option, and most importantly seemingly has a rubber arm. 

[jay87shot]

I think we need to try and turn some quantity into quality which can be hard to do because most teams want to do the same.

The first thing to do this offseason is sign Made long term if the org. is a full believer (I think almost everyone is). In that case, then most of the positions are settled but could be built on. 

The second question for me is what can be done with Yelich? I think the answer is nothing, however if we could move him that would really open up an crazy amount of options for the offseason. My guess is the Dodgers or Padres would be the only place he would even consider lifting his no trade for. The Angels and Giants aren't good enough at this point for him to want to move and lose. 

After that we can worry about the rest of the offseason. Like Bauers QO,  the 1 year arby guys could all be dealt Megill, Contreras, and Vaughn: there are succession candidates at all spots. I think we should make solid efforts at young controllable pieces like Hunter Goodman other other high end controllable bats. The other guys mentioned Ashby, Mitchell, Anderson, Frelick, etc could all be moved for reason that have been listed. We will see how the rotation holds up down the stretch but I think it is clear that we will always be looking to add undervalued starters or quality arms even if we are 8-10 starters deep next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see most of the 1 year arby guys moved and to see us have a lot of salary available to sign back May or a quality bat like Lowe on relatively short multi year deals 2-3 (maybe 4) years.

Obviously the collective bargaining adds a big wrinkle to a lot if the moves as well. Hopefully by the Winter Meetings there is an obvious direction on that front.