The Brewers followed a heartbreaking postseason exit with an offseason punctuated by the departure of a franchise shortstop, the trade of a star closer, and severe payroll restrictions from ownership.
Major League Signings
- Jose Quintana, LHP: One year, $4.25MM
- Tyler Alexander, LHP: One year, $1MM
- Elvin Rodriguez, RHP: One year, $900K (plus $1.35MM club option for 2026)
- Grant Wolfram, RHP: One year (split major league deal)
2025 spending: $6.15MM
Total spending: $6.15MM
Option Decisions
- RHP Frankie Montas declined $20MM mutual option (Montas received $4MM buyout)
- 1B Rhys Hoskins exercised $18MM player option
- Team declined $12MM mutual option on LHP Wade Miley (Miley received $1.5MM buyout)
- Team declined $11MM mutual option on C Gary Sanchez (Sanchez received $4MM buyout)
- Team exercised $8MM club option on RHP Freddy Peralta
- Team declined $5.5MM club option on RHP Colin Rea (Rea received $1MM buyout)
Trades and Waiver Claims
- Acquired LHP Nestor Cortes and INF Caleb Durbin from Yankees in exchange for RHP Devin Williams
- Acquired RHP Grant Anderson from Rangers in exchange for LHP Mason Molina
- Traded INF Owen Miller to Rockies in exchange for cash
Extensions
- None
Minor League Signings
- Mark Canha, Manuel Margot, Jake Bauers, Jorge Alfaro, Tyler Jay, Bruce Zimmermann, Deivi Garcia, Vinny Nittoli, Jesus Liranzo, Thomas Pannone, Jared Oliva
Notable Losses
The Brewers didn't come right out and say it, but their early offseason activity was a portent for what became a glaring, obvious lack of financial resources for the baseball operations department. The decisions to decline pricey options on injured lefty Wade Miley (who had Tommy John surgery in late April) and backup catcher Gary Sanchez didn't come as a surprise.
However, many Milwaukee fans were surprised to see the team place righty Colin Rea on outright waivers when he was a net $4.5MM call for them. The decision was perhaps justified originally when Rea cleared waivers and had his option declined, but the $5MM deal he eventually signed with the Cubs was larger than the net amount he'd have cost the Brewers to retain. The Brewers followed that with another somewhat surprising move to non-tender southpaw reliever Hoby Milner, who was projected for a $2.7MM salary. The 34-year-old's 4.73 ERA was rocky, of course, but he posted terrific K-BB% numbers and had given the Brew Crew 129 innings of 2.79 ERA ball across the 2022-23 seasons.
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The non tenders the brewers made really worked out fine. I’d rather have Quintana for the same price as Rea.
If Grant Wolfram’s nickname isn’t Tungsten, then we’re all missing out.
Offensive Production:
The Brewers have made some moves to add offensive pieces, but there are still questions about the consistency of the lineup. The addition of Jake Burger will add power. This area would likely receive a C+ grade.
Pitching Staff:
The Brewers have a strong pitching foundation. However, there are questions surrounding the bullpen depth. This area would likely receive a B grade.
Defensive Stability:
The Brewers are generally a solid defensive team. This area would receive a B+ grade.
Roster Transition:
The brewers are mixing in younger players, while still trying to remain competitive. This is a hard balance to achieve. This area would receive a
B grade.
Overall Evaluation:
The Brewers’ offseason reflects an effort to maintain competitiveness while navigating a roster transition. Overall, they would likely receive a grade in the B- range.
A realistic win projection for the Brewers would be in the 78-85 win range.
Jake Burger went to Texas, Their bullpen and defense will both be elite. They spent more money on buyouts on last year’s contracts than they did on free agents this offseason.
This team really didn’t need much. Quintana was the perfect pick up. Finding a way to unload Hoskins would have pushed their grade to an A.
Their base running/stealing is also elite. And they will make up for Adames’ production with a healthier Yelich, a healthier Hoskins, a healthier Garrett Mitchell and a healthier Contreras.
And a more experienced Chourio.
Yeah, as a Cubs fan, I have great respect for Brewers management. I personally gave them a B. All of the C/D grades are probably from people who think massive off-season spending = automatic success.
The way I see it, the only thing they screwed up was not finding some sort of infield replacement for Adames. And, to tbh, the real reason I couldn’t give them an A was that comment from the owner
They won team gold glove last season. Unquestionable A+ defense. Milwaukee sets the bar heading into 2025 season.
It’s unfortunate for Milwaukee that Attanasio is now more concerned about spending his vast wealth trying to get a Premier League team in England instead of actually spending some of the massive cash he has made in Milwaukee.. This past off-season was an embarrassment.
The utter ridiculousness of any reporter who says Attanasio has limited resources is pathetic. He just does NOT want to spend on the Brewers anymore.
He sure spends on his home on the water in So Cal. Just ask the neighbors.
Such a simpleton statement. No owners spend their own cash on team payroll. They spend out of their team’s revenue. The Brewers are the smallest market in baseball but their payroll is 23rd. They have no long term tv deal and their payroll actually went up from last year.
The Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, etc just make that much more money than other teams and especially small market teams. They’re not spending out of their own pockets lol. They spend way more and still make much more. And I think Attanasio is one of the poorest owners in baseball compared to his peers if not the poorest. Definitely not a billionaire like most.
Could they spend more and make a little less (it’s a business and an investment!), of course, but so could every other owner. And all the Brewers have done is win the last 8+ years. And had their most successful stretch since he took over as owner 20 years ago. Run him out on a rail!!
What did Milwaukee need and who should they have signed?
Horrible offseason. Not sure who’s in their bullpen other than Megill and Payamps? Bevy of similar defense first fielders.
They’ll probably win the division or be close because that’s what they do.
Their bullpen is going to be elite. They have massive depth and electric arms. They churn them out as well as any team.
Bullpen is probably Milwaukees best unit. Megill was great in the closer role last year, Hudson and Koenig looked like good to elite, Payamps is a reliable middle guy, Peguero could be a bounce back candidate, and Uribe/Misiorowski/Yoho are all potential back end relievers.
Add to all that, the Brewers seemingly create new bp weapons out of thin air.
When “and” starts the sentence, there shouldn’t be a comma after it.
C
No one wanted Quintana Canha and they grabbed them. I really like that.