Brock Beauchamp

What does it mean?!?!? The pragmatic among us realizes that the Brewers and their progressive front office are open to trades every offseason. Last winter, newly in-charge General Manager Matt Arnold pulled off the steal of the offseason in acquiring William Contreras by inserting himself between a trade that was already likely to happen between the Braves and Athletics. The cynical among us read this as an organizational adjustment and I'm not sure they're wrong in this case. With Brandon Woodruff basically out for the entire 2024 season, perpetually-salty Corbin Burnes eyeing free agency in 12 months, and Willy Adames faltering last season as he approaches the same free agency class as Burnes, it's hard to predict how the Milwaukee Brewers view themselves this offseason. The following offseason, it's likely the Brewers also wave goodbye to Devin Williams and his Airbender. Either way, this looks to be an incredibly engaging winter for Brewers fans. View full rumor

Despite no baseball being played, the offseason is a hectic time for any front office. While it’s fun to think about what fresh faces will join from free agency, it’s equally important to consider how options and arbitration negotiations will go. Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic & Brock Beauchamp This is an excerpt from the 2024 Brewer Fanatic Offseason Handbook, you can find a link to download the entirety of Week One of the handbook at the bottom of the article. This publication is funded by Brewer Fanatic Caretakers and future entries will be available exclusively to Caretakers. During the publish period of the handbook, we are offering 25% off all Caretaker packages using the coupon code HANDBOOK. To become a supporter of Brewer Fanatic, click here. While contract options are relatively cut-and-dry situations (they’re exercised, or they’re not), arbitration is a potentially ugly process that can result in bad blood and burnt bridges. Look no further than Corbin Burnes, who openly stated that 2023’s offseason salary negotiations hurt his relationship with the franchise. As we head into the next season of Brewer baseball, let’s look at who’s eligible for either of these paths and what might ensue. Arbitration Cases Corbin Burnes - Arb 3, $15.1 million salary It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that all parties are hoping this arbitration process goes better than last year. The Brewers managed to save a whopping $740,000 (enough to cover ten days of Christian Yelich’s salary) in negotiations at the low cost of incensing their ace. They may have done such a good job of the latter that it hurt his performance in 2023 and tanked any possibility of him signing an extension instead of exploring free agency. This year, the Brewers have a chance to make amends. Without Brandon Woodruff, Burnes’ relative value shoots through the roof, and Milwaukee must do whatever they can to keep him around. On the bright side, his statistical regression could mean a more conservative salary ask from his side. MLB Trade Rumors projects Corbin Burnes’s salary to end up at $15.1 million, a respectable amount that should be enough to hold him over. His 3.39 ERA and 1.07 WHIP weren’t exactly the eye-popping numbers we’re used to, but given his track record, it’s reasonable to expect a return to the norm next year. He’s simply been too good to expect otherwise. If the discussion is cordial enough, Burnes may stick around Milwaukee for a few more years. The team could use him. Willy Adames - Arb 3, $12.4 million salary Willy Adames is coming off a weird year. Offensively, it was his worst as a Brewer by far. He slashed .217/.310/.407 and posted a 95 OPS+, a far cry from the 137 and 110 OPS+ numbers he posted in 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, his xwOBA of .341 and xSLG of .442 were significantly higher than his actual figures, so maybe he just got unlucky. His career-low BABIP of .259 adds some support to this thesis. While his offensive capabilities are in question, his defensive prowess is not. His 16 OAA (Outs Above Average) placed him in the 99th percentile of MLB players, and he collected eight DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). He was a major piece of one of the best infields in the sport, and his glove has become the most valuable part of his game. MLB Trade Rumors projects Adames to snag a neat $12.4 million, which seems a little heavy but depends on how optimistic the Brewers are about his future as a player. If they can get the bat of 2021 Willy Adames that posted a .886 OPS to combine with 2023 Willy Adames’ glove, they might just have a gem. If not, they can always cut him loose in 2025, when he becomes a free agent. He avoided arbitration in both 2022 (signed a one-year, $4.6 million contract) and 2023 (signed a one-year, $8.7 million contract), so we’ll see if he decides to repeat old habits or leave his fate in the hands of an arbitrator. To Continue Reading, Download the Free Week One Preview: View full article

Yeah, he’s a candidate for a two year contract that will be more like a 1.25-1.5 year contract.

I don't think there's any rule preventing people under contract from interviewing for literally any job, it's more of a courtesy that teams extend to one another to not poach laterally. And if the person is under contract, the contracted team has to grant permission.

Im really hesitant to lean on Ashby or a rookie on opening day. I think the Brewers need at least on free agent or trade starting pitcher.

Ooh, I completely forgot about Mahle. I think that’d be a smart pickup.

It sure is easy to hate the Astros.

I hate to say it but I'm blowing it up a bit. I just see the prevailing winds moving against the Brewers in 2024. I'd hope this team can compete for a wild card with the intent of retooling for 2025. I'm trading Corbin Burnes, hopefully for near-ready MLB players. Call the expected teams and hunt for the best deal: Orioles, Dodgers, Yankees, et al. I also shop Williams with the same expectation. Again, I won't list specific names because that always feels unrealistic. Shop him around and if there is a reasonable deal to be had, take it. I shop Adames but am in less of a rush to deal him. He's coming off a down season and if there is a rebound in his bat, I'll either make a July trade or get the QO out of him. I round out the roster with a bunch of reclamation guys: Cron, Urshela, Sanchez at catcher. The Twins managed to improve his glove a little in 2021, maybe the Brewers can eke that much more out of him behind the dish. I extend Woodruff for 2024-25 with the expectation he will not pitch in 2024. The outfield will be wild. Four names with intriguing skillsets and absolutely ZERO idea how it will pan out. The only significant signing I make is Lucas Giolito. I think he's a really good bounceback candidate that, if everything goes right, is a direct Burnes replacement. He's almost surely willing to go for a one-year deal and the Brewers pitching development system could be attractive for him to regain value. Would this team compete for a Wild Card? Dunno. It's possible but with the potential return on Burnes and Williams and possibly Adames, the Brewers could be in a really nice position heading into 2025-2027. C: William Contreras ($0.77M) 1B: Christian Yelich ($26M) 2B: Brice Turang ($0.77M) 3B: Gio Urshela ($5M) SS: Willy Adames ($12.40M) LF: Garrett Mitchell ($.77M) CF: Sal Frelick ($0.77M) RF: Tyrone Taylor ($1.70M) DH: CJ Cron ($4M) Bench OF: Joey Wiemer ($0.77M) Utility: Abraham Toro ($1.30M) Utility: Andruw Monasterio ($.77M) Backup C: Gary Sanchez ($3M) SP1: Lucas Giolito ($14M) SP2: Freddy Peralta ($5.50M) SP3: Wade Miley ($9.00M) SP4: Adrian Houser ($5.60M) SP5: Colin Rea ($3.50M) CL: Abner Uribe ($.77M) RP: Elvis Peguero ($0.77M) RP: Hoby Milner ($1.70M) RP: Bryse Wilson ($1.30M) RP: Joel Payamps ($1.70M) RP: Trevor Megill ($0.77M) RP: Brandon Woodruff (placeholder) ($3M) RP: Reclamation Arm ($1M) Payroll is 23.84% under budget

He's the least appealing option on the list of names I've seen, IMO. I just don't get why the Brewers would go that route.

Welcome to the site! That username, though. 😂

Ken Rosenthal posted a list of names that are of interest to the Brewers in their quest to replace departing manager Craig Counsell. Unsurprisingly, coaching staff of teams like the Astros and Dodgers make the list, though some of the names are both surprising and familiar. Apparently, Milwaukee is keeping the door open to an internal option, Rickie Weeks. The long-time Brewer came back to the organization early in 2022 as an assistant to player development. Also on the list is grizzled veteran of the diamond and dugout, Don Mattingly. While Mattingly has shown to be a capable manager for teams in the past, it's hard to envision a development-first and progressive organization like the Brewers is interested in an aging rehire but only time will tell what their plans might be. View full rumor

Things feel dire in a way they haven’t in quite some time but I’m reserving judgment for awhile. We really don’t know who Matt Arnold is as a GM yet. Last offseason, he floored me with the Contreras trade. This offseason hasn’t really started yet and the one move that happened - Counsell - probably didn’t have much to do with the front office. That situation felt like the rare situation where Attanasio was steering the ship and that’s not a situation that will arise often. I’ll likely have a more formed opinion in mid-February.

Ouch.

I watched Molitor manage in Minnesota. Love him but not as a manager. He absolutely thrashed the late innings bullpen guys. He has all the traits I like on paper but watching him destroy a bullpen by July makes me never want to see him in a dugout again.

Our own social team posted this news on Facebook before I had heard anything and I thought they were trolling the page.

Welcome to the site and great post! I get why this happened. It makes sense from both sides. But… the Cubs?!?!? That’s what hurts the most.

Sure did. WOW, what a weird twist today was.

Indeed it is. THE CUBS?!?!?!?!

Todd Rosiak of the Journal-Sentinel mentioned on Twitter that the Brewers have an offer out to manager Craig Counsell that will make him the highest-paid manage in Major League Baseball. Rumors have been circulating that if the Brewers match the best offer to Counsell, it's likely he remains in Milwaukee to manage the team. Now the real question is "how invested is Steve Cohen in this situation?" The Mets owner has shown an unrivaled willingness to shove money in the direction of players he likes and there's little reason to believe he won't do the same for a manager should he decide Counsell is a must-have person in the Mets organization. View full rumor

That's a nice roster. I can't stand Bauer but get why people want him. Depending on what the Cubs do this offseason, that's a roster that could definitely compete for another division title, I think.