Important Deadlines Loom for Milwaukee Brewers
As the MLB season progresses, the Milwaukee Brewers find themselves facing two crucial deadlines this week. The first deadline, which occurred on Tuesday, required teams to protect rule 5 eligible minor league players by adding them to the 40-man roster. Following closely behind is the second deadline on Friday, where teams must tender contracts to arbitration eligible players.
Rule 5 Eligibility and Roster Decisions
The Milwaukee Brewers are facing significant decisions at the first deadline as they possess several rule 5 eligible prospects that they cannot afford to lose in the draft. Similarly, over a quarter of their 40-man roster falls into this category, making the second deadline equally important.
Arbitration Eligibility and Contract Projections
Currently, 11 Brewers players are eligible for raises in arbitration for the 2024 season. This number was initially 12, but Eric Lauer fell off the list when he was placed on waivers and subsequently outrighted to the minors. Lauer has since elected free agency.
The arbitration projections for these 11 Brewers players vary widely. Some starting pitchers in their final year before free agency are expected to receive exorbitant contracts, while first-time arbitration eligible players will likely receive modest raises over their previous MLB minimum contracts. Players from this group who are not tendered a contract by Friday will become free agents.
Tendering Contracts and Player Importance
For the majority of these players, tendering contracts by Friday’s deadline is a no-brainer. This decision is either due to the minimal impact on the team’s payroll or because these players are deemed too crucial to let go.
Uncertainty Surrounding Non-Tendered Players
However, a few Brewers players face more uncertainty regarding their future after the non-tender deadline. In this article, we will examine four players who are most likely to be non-tendered, ultimately ending their tenure in Milwaukee.