Title: Milwaukee Brewers Open to Trading Key Players as Rebuilding Mode Looms
Introduction:
The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly open to trading almost any player on their roster as they consider a potential rebuild. With a thin free-agent class, the Brewers are willing to sacrifice their present for the future, following the footsteps of the Oakland A’s and Washington Nationals from last season. The team’s pitching staff is in a precarious state, and the Brewers might look to recoup some value by trading key players.
Body:
The Brewers possess a promising core of young position players but face uncertainty with their pitching staff. Right-handers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff are under club control for only one more season, and closer Devin Williams for two more. Woodruff’s recent shoulder surgery further complicates matters, and the Brewers might not offer him a contract. Trading him could help the team recoup some value.
The team has already begun the process by trading outfielder Mark Canha to the Detroit Tigers for a pitching prospect. Shortstop Willy Adames is another potential free agent and trade candidate, while left fielder Christian Yelich, despite his full no-trade protection, could also be considered if the Brewers embark on a sell-off.
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold declined to comment on the team’s plans, but industry sources suggest that the team is open to moving virtually any player on its roster. The breakup of the team seems inevitable, and it’s only a matter of how proactive the Brewers want to be in moving the process along.
In a similar vein, the Chicago White Sox are also open to considering trade offers for some of their key players, including right-hander Dylan Cease and left fielder Eloy Jiménez.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are entertaining the idea of approaching shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. for a long-term extension. Witt’s potential extension could cost the Royals more than $200 million, but it could help sway public sentiment as the team seeks public financing for a new ballpark.
Agent Scott Boras recently highlighted a scouting bias against short right-handers when comparing his client, left-hander Blake Snell, to righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Boras mentioned Yamamoto’s smaller stature as a possible detriment, but smaller right-handers like Pedro Martinez, Sonny Gray, and Marcus Stroman have found success in the past.
Lastly, Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies stands out as a durable starting pitcher who could attract significant interest in the free-agent market. Nola’s ability to save his team’s bullpen and his track record of durability make him an appealing option, especially as the game trends towards restoring starters to prominence.
Conclusion:
As the Milwaukee Brewers consider a potential rebuild, they are open to trading key players to recoup value for the future. The team’s pitching staff is in a precarious state, and trading players like Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes could help the Brewers navigate their uncertain future. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are exploring the possibility of a long-term extension for shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and agent Scott Boras’ comments on scouting biases against smaller right-handers have sparked discussions. Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies also stands out as a durable starting pitcher who could attract significant interest in the free-agent market.Title: Milwaukee Brewers Open to Trading Key Players as Rebuilding Mode Looms
Date: [Current Date]
The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly open to trading almost any player on their roster as they consider a potential rebuild. While executives are careful to state that they are fielding calls rather than actively shopping players, industry sources suggest that the Brewers are willing to part ways with key assets to secure a promising future.
The Brewers have already initiated the process by trading outfielder Mark Canha to the Detroit Tigers for a pitching prospect. With a relatively thin free-agent class, the team sees an opportunity to sacrifice their present for long-term success. The departure of manager Craig Counsell has seemingly paved the way for the Brewers to adopt this strategy.
While the team possesses a promising core of young position players, their pitching staff is in a precarious state. Right-handers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff are only under club control for one more season, and closer Devin Williams for two more. Woodruff’s potential absence due to shoulder surgery further complicates the situation.
The Brewers face a dilemma with Woodruff, who stands to earn approximately $12 million in arbitration. They could offer him a two-year deal, but he may prefer to become a free agent and negotiate a similar contract with any club. Trading Woodruff would allow the Brewers to recoup some value.
As for Burnes, the Brewers could keep him and make a qualifying offer at the end of the season, receiving a 2025 draft pick after he signs elsewhere. However, a trade would likely yield better returns and save the team a projected $15.1 million in arbitration.
Shortstop Willy Adames, another potential free agent, and left fielder Christian Yelich, who possesses full no-trade protection, are also potential trade candidates if the Brewers decide to embark on a sell-off.
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold declined to comment on the team’s plans, but it appears that a breakup of the current team is inevitable. The team’s owner, Mark Attanasio, has previously expressed opposition to a complete rebuild, but the impending departures of key players make it increasingly difficult to avoid.
In other news, the Kansas City Royals are reportedly considering a monster extension for emerging star Bobby Witt Jr. Despite the slim chances of signing a lucrative deal after last offseason’s free-agent shortstop signings, the Royals are entertaining the idea of approaching Witt. A long-term deal with Witt could help sway public sentiment as the team seeks public financing for a new ballpark.
Lastly, agent Scott Boras recently highlighted a scouting bias against short right-handers when comparing his client, left-hander Blake Snell, to free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Boras mentioned Yamamoto’s smaller stature as a possible detriment, but smaller right-handers have found success in the past. The San Francisco Giants’ Farhan Zaidi and St. Louis Cardinals’ John Mozeliak expressed minimal concern about the size of pitchers, emphasizing that performance should be the determining factor.
As the offseason progresses, it remains to be seen how the Brewers and other teams will navigate the trade market and make decisions that will shape their future success.