The Milwaukee Brewers are facing the departure of Willy Adames, an offseason retainer who will hit the free agent market for the first time in his career. Early reports predicted he would sign a contract worth over $200 million. Whether that happens or not, it’s still very likely that Brew Crew won’t feel comfortable offering as much as other clubs.
Assuming Willy Adames signs elsewhere, Milwaukee will be in a tough spot at shortstop going forward. Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz are the two internal replacement options. Both were elite-level defensemen at their positions in 2024, a year in which Turang was named a Gold Glove finalist and Ortiz was snubbed. Offensively, Turang surprisingly finished the game with an OPS+, 15 points below the league average (100 is league average), but displayed a contact-oriented approach and stole over 50 bases, while Ortiz finished the game with a 101 OPS+.
If GM Matt Arnold decides to look outside for a replacement shortstop, he will find that the open market isn’t the best after Willy Adames, as Jose Iglesias and Paul Dejong may be the next best options. Outside of free agents, it’s possible the Brewers could add a stopper via trade. Two-time All-Star Bo Bichette is a player who makes sense.
Because Bichette makes perfect sense as a commercial target for Milwaukee breweries
2025 will be Bo Bichette’s final season under team control with the Toronto Blue Jays, as he previously signed a three-year, $36.6 million contract that bought out his arbitration years. His base salary next season will be just over $17 million. The Brewers aren’t a team that could spend a lot of money, but it would be a one-year commitment in which after next year he, too, would likely leave, test the free-agent market, and could possibly provide Milwaukee with a replacement draft pick (as Willy Adames will do this year year).
Historically, Bo Bichette has been an offensive juggernaut
Before an injury-riddled 2024 season in which he played just 81 games, Bo Bichette had three consecutive seasons with over 20 home runs and over 30 doubles. He finished just shy of collecting 200 hits in a season in the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, topped 100 RBI once and, when robust, had a batting average over .290. Because Bichette may be the only available shortstop this offseason who can match Willy Adames’ offensive production.
MLB insiders believe Bo Bichette will be traded this offseason
Back in August Bob Nightengale from the USA today wrote that “The Blue Jays are expected to entertain trade offers” for Bo Bichette, who “does not plan” to remain a free agent after the 2025 season.” If Milwaukee were to sign Bo Bichette, it would be in their best interest to also try to include several other higher-paid players, including Devin Williams ($10.5 million club option for 2025), Aaron Civale (8.0 projected million in arbitration) and Colin Rea (club option for $5.5 million) could be potential trade pieces.
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