I'd like to see the Brewers continually recycle the talent by embarking on a series of winter trades over the next few seasons. If they were to choose two players to sign to long term contracts; say Burnes and Hader, they'd be choosing to run their team like the Angels. The Angels can argue that they have the two best players in baseball, yet they can't put a complete team around them.
Setting the Yelich deal aside for the moment; if Milwaukee signs their own free agents, they'll paint themselves into the same corner with the Angels. Even if they choose the right players to sign & those players perform well, there's just not enough resources left to finish out the roster. The reason they have the pitching they have now is due to smart trading and fortuitous drafting. Free agency, even with their own players, will not be a good strategy so long as the economic situation remains.
Part of the appeal of following the Brewers is the fantasy baseball element. Every winter, fans get to play along with Stearns, trying to determine how to create a winner. It's like playing Monopoly with your little brother & spotting him Boardwalk & Park Place, then still having to figure out how to beat him.
It's ok if Burnes, Hader, Woodruff, et al, move on. Thery'll be new players to replace them, and the games will be entertaining. The team will either be winning or playing the youngsters-- both of which make for compelling baseball. What is not compelling is paying everyone what they're worth, then playing a team comprised of big salary veterans and economical journeymen on their way to a 76 win season; and that's what we'd most likely get with an Angels-style team.