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  • Milwaukee Brewers Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Milwaukee Brewers free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Matthew Lenz
    The Milwaukee Brewers, as clear favorites in the NL Central, are looking to add finishing touches rather than address any major roster hole. Their lineup lacks home run pop and struggles against left-handed pitching, so a right-handed bat with some thump would address multiple issues at once, especially if that hitter can also play on the left side of the infield. Beyond the lineup tweak, they could look to add rotation and bullpen depth to round out the roster for a postseason push.

    While it's not their MO, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was quoted as saying, “Everything I have heard backs up the idea of the Brewers being aggressive.” This quote is more direct than him simply suggesting they should be aggressive and implies it's likely they will be. He goes on to mention names like Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller as guys that president of baseball operations Matt Arnold “has been working the phones and has checked in on.

    Skubal and Miller are at the tip top of the market and would undoubtedly fetch an incredible return of prospects, which the Brewers have plenty of. It's a tidal wave type move like adding an elite arm that would put them well within striking distance of the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.
    Do you think the Brewers should make a big splash via trade? Join the conversation in the comments!
     
     
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The Milwaukee Brewers don't often swing and miss with draft picks, but they did with one high-profile selection.
    Right-handed starter Aidan Knaak announced on Instagram on Monday that he was returning to Clemson for his senior season, a blow to the Brewers, who had selected him in the fifth round. Knaak's decision also had an effect on the Brewers' bonus pool as his slot value of $425,400 was subtracted from their available money, which was $8,042,900 to begin with.

    Knaak was the 117th-ranked prospect by Baseball America and 210th by MLB Pipeline when he was taken by the Brewers with the 163rd pick of the draft.
    Players had until Monday at 4 p.m. CT to sign.
    However, Knaak was not the only draft pick the Brewers did not sign. Of their 20 selections, the Crew brought 17 into the fold. The two others who did not decide to begin their pro careers now are 14th-round left-hander Daunte Bell of Milliken High School in Long Beach, Calif., and 16th-round right-hander Bradyn Havard of George County (Miss.) High School. Bell has a college commitment to Houston and Havard to Pearl River Community College.
    Here is a rundown of the Brewers' draft picks and their signing bonuses as reported by Baseball America:
    Trey Ebel, SS, $2,800,000 Sawyer Strosnider, OF, $2,100,000 Kyle Jones, OF, $675,000 Julian Garcia, RHP, $1,497,500 Aidan Knaak, RHP, did not sign Ryan Oshinskie, RHP, $222,500 Grant Hill, RHP, $200,000 Kellan Tom, 1B, $175,000 Chase Mora, RHP, $5,000 Andrew Gaines, RHP, $5,000 Gavin Perry, RHP, $150,000 Marcus Kruzan, RHP, $150,000 Carson Hart, OF, $380,000 Daunte Bell II, LHP, did not sign Keaton Maiorana, RHP, $230,800 Bradyn Havard, RHP, did not sign Chance Ruby, SS, $150,000 Brady Smith, RHP, $150,000 Sam George, LHP, $100,000 Carsten Sabathia III, 1B, $50,000 Players drafted in Rounds 11 to 20 did not count toward the Brewers' bonus pool unless they surpassed $150,000. For example, Maiorana, the 15th-round pick, signed for $230,800, but only $80,800 counted toward the bonus pool. Teams are allowed to surpass their bonus pool by 5% with a financial penalty of a 75% tax on the overage. According to Brewer Fanatic's Draft Tracker, the Brewers went $50,400 over their allotment.
    Steve Drumwright
    The Milwaukee Brewers' look at Lance McCullers Jr. lasted just two games.
    After acquiring the two-time World Series champion in a trade July 15, McCullers was designated for assignment Sunday by the Brewers. Right-hander Garrett Stallings was called up from Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers now have two open spots on their 40-man roster as the trade deadline approaches.
    McCullers was a relatively low-cost acquisition, costing the Brewers minor-league outfielder Jadyn Fielder, son of former Crew slugger Prince Fielder, and covering $2 million of his remaining salary. But McCullers, a starter with six career relief appearances before being traded, made both of his appearances out of the Brewers' bullpen, including one Saturday in an 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.
    McCullers had a 4.18 FIP (3.86 ERA) in 4⅔ innings, giving up five runs (two earned) on three hits with five walks and five strikeouts. These were McCullers' first two MLB games since going on the injured list in mid-May with right shoulder inflammation.
    The Brewers are still looking for a quality arm to replace veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff in the rotation.
    Stallings was called up at the end of June and made his MLB debut with a pair of appearances, allowing just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over three innings.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    After pursuing a trade for Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams in the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers are checking in on him again as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches.
    At least that is according to Spencer Nussbaum and Will Sammon of The Athletic in an article posted Saturday. Abrams is making $4.2 million this season and under club control for an additional two seasons.
    Abrams, whose defense has been questioned but is in the midst of a terrific offensive year, would likely shift over to third base as the Brewers would value the defense provided by rookie Cooper Pratt at shortstop.
    During the offseason, the Brewers were one of several teams to go after Abrams, but the Nationals' asking price was too high, according to The Athletic. At the time, Abrams was coming off a .257/.315/.433 slash line with 19 homers, 60 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 144 games.
    But this year, the left-handed hitter has put up a slash line of .288/.361/.544 with 24 homers, 76 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 100 games entering play Saturday.
    It also must be noted that Abrams caused a stir late in the 2024 season when he was out late at a Chicago-area casino, first being suspended by the Nationals and then demoted to the minors for the rest of the season.
    Currently, the Brewers are riding with Joey Ortiz at third base after Pratt supplanted him as the starting shortstop. David Hamilton, just activated off the 10-day injured list, will also get time at third base. But Abrams would be an offensive upgrade at the hot corner, a position he has never played, even in the minors. Since being traded to the Nats in the Juan Soto deal with the San Diego Padres, the only position Abrams has played is shortstop.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The Milwaukee Brewers' stolen base leader is back in the fold. Just what role he plays now is a question.
    Infielder David Hamilton was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday by the Brewers, with infielder Braden Shewmake designated for assignment.
    Hamilton went on the IL July 7 with a strained left hamstring after having to quickly stop and scurry back to second base in the game the day before. He played in two rehab games before being activated for the Brewers' series against the Colorado Rockies.
    Hamilton has been an offensive spark plug, putting up a slash line of .240/.317/.333 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and a team-high 18 stolen bases, while also being a good defender while seeing most of his time at third base. But that situation has changed with Joey Ortiz being more productive offensively at third base and rookie Cooper Pratt the full-time shortstop. Hamilton, in addition to backing up both of those positions, could give Brice Turang an occasional break at second base.
    Shewmake was acquired by the Brewers on July 12 after being DFA'd by the Houston Astros as he was seen as an upgrade over Greg Jones, who was DFA'd to make room for Shewmake. Shewmake appeared in just four games, going 2-for-7, with both hits coming in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Miami Marlins. His big moment was a double that started a four-run sixth-inning rally in which he also scored, then also singled and scored in a two-run seventh. He also had a sacrifice fly in the game.
     
    Brock Beauchamp
    According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, the Brewers are aiming high before the trade deadline on August 3. They've reportedly reached out to the Detroit Tigers about ace pitcher and perhaps the best pitcher in the American League, Tarik Skubal. They've also reached out to the San Diego Padres about their closer extraordinaire, Mason Miller.
    Skubal is playing this season on an expiring contract. He won his arbitration hearing in February, receiving a record $32 million salary after the Tigers filed at $19 million, and said the Tigers made no long-term offer this offseason. He's expected to command roughly $400 million as the top 2026-27 free agent. On the mound, he posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over seven starts before a left elbow injury sidelined him in early May; he's since returned, and now sits at 6-5 with a 2.83 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 14 appearances.
    Miller's situation is the opposite of Skubal's: cheap and controlled. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal to avoid arbitration in his first arbitration-eligible year, and remains under team control through 2029. He has expressed interest in a Padres extension, though no talks have occurred. Performance-wise, he's been dominant as San Diego's closer, with a 0.86 ERA, 25 saves, and 78 strikeouts against 15 walks this season. With the Padres coming under new ownership, it's almost impossible to predict the actions of their already-maverick president of baseball operations AJ Preller.
    What do you think of this news? Are the Brewers aiming for a level higher than they have at previous deadlines, or is this just due diligence?
    Steve Drumwright
    Having already saved cash on all of their other signings in the first 10 rounds of the MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers used some of that surplus on their second- and fourth-round selections.
    TCU center fielder Sawyer Strosnider signed with the Brewers for a bonus of $2.1 million, more than the slot value of $1,353,100, while California high school right-hander Julian Garcia received a bonus of $1.5 million, above the $585,700 slot vale.
    Per Brewer Fanatic's Draft Tracker, the Brewers used up most of the savings they had achieved on deals with six of their other picks in the first 10 rounds. Those deals leave the Brewers with $560,400 to give to other draft picks. Only two of their picks in the top 10 rounds have yet to sign: Clemson right-hander Aidan Knaak and Alabama high school right-hander Grant Hill.
    There were some questions about Strosnider's hitting ability caused him to fall from a probable first-round selection to the Brewers' pick at No. 66 overall.
    After putting up a slash line of .350/.420/.650 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs en route to being named Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2025, Strosnider followed that up with a .273/.415/.590 mark with 13 homers and 47 RBIs this spring. He does have the skillset to remain a center fielder, but also possesses an arm that would be suitable in right field.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    With a short window in which to sign their draft picks, the Milwaukee Brewers have four more secured.
    A day after signing first-round selection Trey Ebel to an underslot bonus, third-round pick Kyle Jones and three other of their top 10 choices have their deals done, according to Baseball America. Ebel signed for $2.8 million, with the assigned slot value for the 21st overall pick at $3,696,000.
    Kyle Jones, a speedy center fielder who hit leadoff for Florida this spring, received a signing bonus of $675,000, slightly under the slot value of $770,600. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Jones slashed .317/.418/.478 with 27 stolen bases for the Gators.
    The Brewers also came to terms with their eighth-, ninth- and 10-round selections, all for underslot.
    Corona Del Sol (Ariz.) High School first baseman Kellan Tom, picked in the eighth round, received a $175,000 bonus, coming in under the $220,400 value. Ninth-rounder Chase Mora, a right-hander out of Texas State, and 10th-rounder Andrew Gaines, a right-hander from St. Joseph's, each got bonuses of $50,000. The slot values for those two picks were $202,500 and $191,900.
    Combined with sixth-rounder Ryan Oshinskie, a right-hander from Brown who inked for $222,500 on Friday, the Brewers have signed six of the 20 draft picks, all in the first 10 rounds. The reported bonuses for those six checks in at $3,882,500, which is a savings of $1,532,100. The Brewers' bonus pool is $8,042,900, leaving them plenty of flexibility with their remaining draft selections.
    Picks in the 11th to 20 rounds can receive up to $150,000 without counting against the bonus pool. Draft picks have until July 27 to sign.
    Steve Drumwright
    The Milwaukee Brewers will be without their starting right fielder for a while.
    Sal Frelick was put on the 10-day injured list Saturday by the Brewers due to a strained right (throwing) shoulder. Outfielder Blake Perkins was called up from Triple-A Nashville.
    Frelick was injured during Friday's 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. In the top of the fourth inning, Frelick made a throw from right field toward second base on a double by Otto Lopez that took several bounces to get there, not a throw you would expect from the 2024 Gold Glove winner. Manager Pat Murphy said after the game that Frelick had an issue with the should earlier in the season.

    He remained in on defense, but was replaced the next inning by rookie Luis Lara.
    Frelick has struggled offensively this season after being in contention for a batting title at the end of last year. He currently has a slash line of .236/.301/.330 with four homers and 34 RBIs, with six steals. Last season's slash line was .288/.351/.405.
    Perkins is a terrific defender, but has not been able to get going offensively, which led to him not originally making the Opening Day roster. He has only been called up due to injuries, with this being the third time. Perkins has a .157/.250/.258 slash line in 53 games with one homer and 11 RBIs.
     
     
    Steve Drumwright
    One somewhat surprising move led to another somewhat surprising move.
    The Milwaukee Brewers on Friday activated right-handed starter Lance McCullers Jr., who was on the 15-day injured list at the time he was acquired Wednesday from the Houston Astros, and optioned veteran left-handed reliever Jared Koenig to Triple-A Nashville. McCullers had been on the IL since May 19 due to right shoulder inflammation. He had been due to make another rehab start Friday for the Astros' Double-A affiliate before the trade went down.
    McCullers is not scheduled to start any of the three games this weekend at home against the Miami Marlins. It is possible that he goes in one of the three games against the New York Mets to begin next week. A bullpen role feels unlikely as McCullers has made just three relief appearances since the 2020 season, with all three coming last year. A few days before his first Brewers appearance allows pitching coach Chris Hook to do a little work with McCullers.
    McCullers made eight starts this year before his IL stint, posting a 5.06 FIP (6.86 ERA) with a poor 12.8% walk rate and just-below-average 25% strikeout rate.
    Koenig has appeared in six games since returning from the 15-day IL with a sprained left elbow. While his first two outings went as expected, with a scoreless inning each, the final four have not. Koenig has allowed seven runs in 2⅔ innings on seven hits and five walk with two strikeouts. Five of those runs and five of those hits came in his last appearance Sunday in a 14-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he did not record an out.
    Also, infielder-outfielder Greg Jones, who was designated for assignment Sunday and went unclaimed, was outrighted to Triple-A, but chose to become a free agent instead. Players can be outrighted once in their career before having the choice to become a free agent.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The Ebel brothers are officially Milwaukee Brewers teammates.
    Infielder Trey Ebel, the first-round pick (25th overall) by the Brewers in last weekend's MLB Draft, has signed with the Crew. MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis reported that Ebel signed for $2.8 million. That pick had an assigned slot value of $3,696,000, so the Brewers can use that nearly $900,000 on other picks.
    Ebel joins brother Brady Ebel, who was the 32nd overall pick in last year's draft and is now at High-A Wilson. Both played together at Corona on the same team as Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Seth Hernandez. The Ebels' father, Dino, is the thrid-base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    The Brewers also reportedly signed sixth-round selection Ryan Oshinskie, a right-hander out of Brown. Baseball America has Oshinskie signing for $222,500, an underslot deal. His slot value was $333,200.
    Like his brother, the 17-year-old Trey Ebel worked hard to become a top prospects. He has a good eye for the strike zone and had a career slash line of .345/.453/.596 with 12 homers and 77 RBIs. He walked 39 times, while striking out just 34.
    The 21-year-old Oshinskie broke out last summer during the Cape Cod League, with a 1.93 ERA and striking out 38 while walking seven.
    Ebel and Oshinskie are the only signed draft picks thus far.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    For the third year in a row, the Milwaukee Brewers will open the 2027 season with an interleague series. That is, if the season starts as scheduled.
    The Crew will begin 2027 at American Family Field with a six-game homestand, starting with the season-opening series against the Los Angeles Angels. MLB announced the schedules for all 30 teams Thursday. The last time the Brewers and Angels squared off on Opening Day was 1996 at Anaheim Stadium.
    After those three games, the Brewers will host Atlanta for three games, then embark on a six-game interleague road trip against the Chicago White Sox (April 1-4, with a day off built in) and the Toronto Blue Jays (April 5-7).
    On March 24, there will be a single game to begin the season as there was this year between the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, with all of the other season-opening series happening on March 25, the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history. The first Brewers series against the NL Central rival Chicago Cubs will be at Wrigley Field on April 26-28, with Chicago making its first trip to Milwaukee on May 17-20.
    Next year's All-Star Game is at Wrigley Field on July 13.
    That game will be sandwiched around the Crew's longest road trip and longest homestand. Before the break, the Brewers will be on the road for 10 games against the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians. After the break, the Brewers will be at home for 10 in a row against the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins.
    The Brewers will wrap up the regular season with a six-game road trip against the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Four of the Brewers' final five series are against AL teams, with their final set against the Cubs coming Sept. 4-6 at American Family Field.
    The start of the season is in doubt due to a probable lockout by owners as the collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1.
    Spencer Michaelis
    The Milwaukee Brewers selected Aidan Knaak at pick No. 163 in the 2026 MLB Draft. Knaak is a right-handed pitcher out of Clemson. The slot value for the pick is $425,400, and the Brewers will likely be looking to sign Knaak for slot or below. 
    Knaak was ranked 210th on the MLB Pipeline board. He is known most for his changeup, which grades out as a 60-grade pitch, and is a pitch he manipulates the shape and velocity of. Beyond the changeup, Knaak throws a four-seam fastball with some late life, above-average carry, and has been up to 96 MPH, while sitting more in the 92-93 range. There's an upper-70s curveball, as well as a gyro slider in the mid-80s, though he does not generate much spin on the breaking balls.
    Knaak got off to a tremendous start in his college career, but his draft value slipped this season when he pitched to a 5.81 ERA, though he still struck out 88 batters in 57 1/3 innings. The Brewers are likely looking to buy low on a talented arm here, with some untapped potential left.
     
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The 2026 Bryse Wilson tour is making a stop in Milwaukee.
    The right-handed reliever signed a major-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Left-handed reliever Drew Rom was optioned to Triple-A Nashville and right-handed reliever Easton McGee was designated for assignment.
    Not only is Wilson back with the Brewers for a second time in his career, but Milwaukee marks his third team in the past three weeks. Wilson was designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies on June 22, then claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs two days later. The Cubs then DFA'd Wilson on Saturday and he went unclaimed and chose to become a free agent. Now he is with the Brewers, the team he pitched for in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
    As a former starter, Wilson provides length out of the bullpen. He has made just three relief appearances in the majors since being called up by the Phillies on June 18 after he triggered an upward-mobility clause in his contract. Wilson has pitched 9⅔ innings, allowing seven runs on 13 hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. No doubt he is looking to rediscover the magic he found with the Brewers, when he made 87 appearances (nine starts) over 181⅓ innings, posting a 4.68 FIP (3.42 ERA) with a 7% walk rate and 18.9% strikeout rate.
    Rom made five appearances with the Crew, going 5⅔ innings, walking four (14.8%) and striking out 11 (40.7%).
    McGee was on the verge of making the Brewers' Opening Day roster when they acquired Jake Woodford in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Instead, McGee was optioned to Triple-A, where he has spent most of the season. He was called up twice and made two appearances, allowing no runs on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    While a lot of Milwaukee Brewers fans might be clamoring for more punch in the offense, one of baseball's top insiders has identified another need for the Crew.
    Playoff-caliber starting pitching, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. One of the reasons for needing starting pitching is the new shoulder injury to right-hander Brandon Woodruff, while right-hander Logan Henderson just returned Thursday from a stay on the injured list with a back issue.
    As Passan sorts through all of the contenders, he made two choices for each club. One was a best-match trade addition, the other was a dream pickup.
    The best match, Passan says, is the Brewers connecting with their old front-office boss David Stearns with the New York Mets and acquiring right-handed starter Clay Holmes. Having recently returned from a broken right leg 2.39 ERA (3.19 FIP) in 52⅔ innings with an 8.4% walk rate and 20.9% strikeout rate. But it is Holmes' experience as a postseason reliever in 2021, 2022 and 2024 that could help push the Crew over the top. Holmes also fits financially as he is making $12 million this year and $13 million next year.
    But in a dream scenario, the Brewers would grab Minnesota Twins right-handed starter Joe Ryan. Ryan has ace qualities that would pair very nicely with Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, the MLB leader in strikeouts (167) and ERA (1.62). Ryan has a 2.65 ERA (2.83 FIP) in 19 starts, having already logged 104⅓ innings. Ryan has a 5.4% walk rate and 28.8% strikeout rate. Ryan, making $6.1 million this year, would be more of a rental as he has a mutual option for 2027. Mutual options are almost always declined.
    The Brewers certainly have the prospects to get either deal done.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The Milwaukee Brewers have one of their key arms back.
    Right-hander Logan Henderson was activated from the 15-day injured list and will start for the Brewers in Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. Right-hander Garrett Stallings was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.
    Henderson has been out since late May with a strained lower back. Henderson was not on the Opening Day roster and then made an early spot start before coming up again in early May. Overall, he has made five starts and pitched 23 innings, with a 2.42 FIP (2.74 ERA) along with a 6.7% walk rate and 33.3% strikeout rate.
    If Henderson goes 2⅓ innings today, he will match the number of innings he pitched last year with the Brewers in his MLB debut season. Henderson also returns to the rotation as the Brewers have lost veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who is considering shoulder surgery with a new injury.
    Stallings made two appearances since being called up June 30, including his MLB debut. In those two outings, Stallings pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking one and striking out four.
     
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