Milwaukee Breweries are known for spending their money carefully. As Major League Baseball’s smallest market, they are unable to sign long-term, lucrative contracts that would attract substantial stars to their team. That’s why they traded All-Stars Josh Hader last season (d San Diego Padres), Corbin Burnes (to the Baltimore Orioles) and Devin Williams (to the New York Yankees).
They were also unable to stop shortstop Willy Adames, although no one expected that, even before he lit up the baseball with a .251/.331/.462 slash line with 32 home runs, 112 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 2024. He took advantage of his high level of run production , to earn a seven-year, $182 million contract from the San Francisco Giants.
And now some are predicting that Milwaukee could move on from another of its homegrown stars during or after the 2025 season.
Brandon Woodruff, starter for the Milwaukee Brewers, has struggled with stern injuries for two years
There is no doubt that being vigorous, Brandon Woodruff he’s one of the best pitchers, not just on the Brewers, but in all of baseball. He made his first career All-Star team in 2019 and finished the year 11-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, striking out 143 batters in 121.2 innings pitched.
During the pandemic-short 2020 season, he was 3-5 with a 3.05 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, leading the Majors with 13 starts. He also struck out 91 batters in 73.5 innings.
2021 was arguably his best full season. In 30 starts, he went 9-10 with a 2.56 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. He struck out 211 batters in 179.1 innings. He made his second All-Star team and finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
In 2022, Woodruff went 13-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 27 starts. He struck out 190 batters in 153.1 innings
While Burnes was successful in Milwaukee, it was obvious that Woodruff was just as good in many ways. Unfortunately, his career changed in the 2023 season.
The Texas native started 2023 on fire. He couldn’t be stopped. Unfortunately, his season was interrupted by injuries. He finished the year 5-1 in 11 starts, posting a 2.28 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while also losing. Woodruff struck out 74 batters in 67.0 innings pitched.
Shoulder injuries caused him to miss most of the 2023 season, and the Brewers did not extend him an offer after that year. However, they brought him back on a two-year, $17.5 million contract, even though they knew he wouldn’t be able to play at all in 2024.
The deal included a $20 million mutual option for 2026 with a $10 million buyout.
Milwaukee brewers predicted to move on from Brandon Woodruff after 2025
While Woodruff is expected to pitch for the Brewers in 2025, the club isn’t sure if he’ll be ready for Opening Day. He could return early in the season and eventually return to the rotation as he builds strength, but the truth is no one knows how his surgically repaired shoulder will hold up.
He could very well return to All-Star form, but he could also struggle after being off the field for almost two years.
For these reasons, and the fact that it will cost Milwaukee $20 million to bring him back in 2026, Brian Sampson of Fanmade believes the Brewers could try to trade the two-time All-Star at the deadline if he shows he’s fully vigorous.
“Woodruff’s injury history complicates his long-term value. It’s unlikely Milwaukee would commit $20 million to a 33-year-old pitcher with a repaired shoulder, especially given the constraints of a tiny market. This makes a mid-season replacement the logical path forward.” Samson wrote.
If Woodruff were to finish the season in Milwaukee and the Brewers declined their share of the mutual option, they would still owe him $10 million. That alone makes a midseason trade possible for Milwaukee’s cost-conscious front.
On the other hand, the Brewers needed 17 different starting pitchers to survive last year’s season. If Woodruff stays healthy and pitches like he did before the injury, and Milwaukee competes for a postseason berth like it’s expected to, trading him could derail the season.
In an ideal world, Woodruff would have finished the year with the Brewers and then signed a new, team-friendly contract.
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