This story was taken from Adam McCalvy’s Brewers Beat newsletter. To read the entire newsletter, click here. AND subscribe to receive them regularly in your inbox.
MILWAUKEE — The Brewers are still working on assembling their coaching staff and purchasing goaltenders as club officials prepare to travel to the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, for this year’s Winter Meetings, which are unofficially held on Sunday evening.
Here are some of the details you need to know when GM Matt Arnold & Co. meets at the annual baseball convention:
Club needs
The most obvious hole in the lineup is the brief break following the departure of free agent Willy Adames, but the Brewers have a few ways to make up for his absence. They could sign or trade for a front-line player (unlikely given the restricted options after Adames on the market). Instead, they could focus on acquiring a third or second baseman and hand the duties over to Joey Ortiz or (less likely, considering he just won a Platinum Glove Award in the NL playing second base) Brice Turang. There are some good names in the third base trade rumor mill, including change of scenery candidate Brett Baty of the Mets and three All-Stars: Alec Bohm of the Phillies, Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Ryan McMahon of the Rockies. More >>
Potential trade candidates
Devin Williams, a two-time All-Star and two-time NL Reliever of the Year, is not only the Brewers’ most attractive trade prospect, but also one of the best players on the market. So why would Milwaukee trade him? First, Williams is nearing the end of his contract year, and with a few exceptions like Adames, the Brewers have almost always tried to transition these players to newborn, controllable talent so they can continue to compete. See: Corbin Burnes last year. Second, Milwaukee has shown a knack for discovering bullpen value. Trevor Megill, Williams’ most obvious successor, was acquired in a compact deal. Jared Koenig was a Minor League free agent. Joel Payamps was the toss to replace William Contreras. Abner Uribe, arguably Milwaukee’s immediate future, was an international signee.
The Brewers will have to consider whether Williams’ value will be highest now, after an injury-shortened season, or at next year’s trade deadline.
The outfield also remains an area of ​​depth. Last year, the Brewers dealt Tyrone Taylor (along with pitcher Adrian Houser) to the Mets in exchange for a pitching prospect, which we’ll talk about in a moment. The outfield remains the club’s deepest department, from the very costly (Christian Yelich has four years and $110.5 million in guaranteed money after returning from back surgery) to the stable of pre-arbitration players such as Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins, whose other clubs could covet. Of course, Jackson Chourio is completely out after finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
The perspective of cognition
Jacob Misiorowski will play in the Majors in 2025. This seems certain, barring injuries. But when and in what role? This is up in the air as the Winter Meets begin. Clubs almost always look to develop pitchers as starters, and Misiorowski, the No. 3 prospect in baseball and No. 80 in baseball, has shown flashes of success when he leveraged his command, including: last season, when he had a 3.33 ERA and nearly 12 strikeouts. for nine innings in his 21 starts, mostly for Double-A Biloxi.
Misiorowski certainly looked relieved after the move to Triple-A Nashville — a role change that didn’t speak to the organization’s plans for a leadoff prospect, but rather its immediate need for bullpen depth as the postseason approaches. Misiorowski’s hitting rate remained similar, but his opponents’ average dropped from .180 as a starter to .085 in 12 appearances as a reliever, although he never received a call-up to the substantial leagues. It’s difficult to imagine Milwaukee trading Misiorowski, but considering he’s close to Major League readiness, you can bet clubs will be asking about it.
Rule 5 Design
The Brewers added right-handers Logan Henderson and Chad Patrick to the 40-man roster in November to protect them from being selected in the Rule 5 draft, which will take place Wednesday afternoon in Dallas. Among the players left unprotected were pitcher Coleman Crow (the Brewers’ 30th overall pick), who began his comeback from Tommy John surgery by playing in the Arizona Fall League; Ernesto Martinez Jr., a enormous, athletic first baseman nicknamed “El Espectáculo”; hitting first baseman and catcher Wes Clarke, who hit 21 homers between Double-A Biloxi and Nashville in 1924; and right-handed swingman Shane Smith, who struck out 113 batters in 94 1/3 innings between Biloxi and Nashville last season.
What about adding a player via the Rule 5 Draft? Since 2015, the Brewers have attempted to carry only one Rule 5 draft pick; right-hander Gus Varland in 2023. He eventually returned to the Dodgers.
Burning question
How long can they keep the window open?
Everyone expected the Brewers to take a step back last season after trading Burnes and cutting some payroll, but instead they won the NL Central for the second straight season and third in four years. Now their home run and RBI leader (Adames) has left for free agency, their All-Star closer (Williams) is locked in as he approaches a contract year and the payroll could be tight again. With the Cubs on the rise and the Pirates looking stronger with their great newborn starting rotation, can Milwaukee find enough value in trades and stealth signings to lock down pitching, find a productive shortstop and continue their streak of six postseason appearances in the past ? seven seasons?
