Bold opening: The Milwaukee Brewers are navigating a high-stakes rebuild that blends proven success with bold, strategic risk.
The Brewers continued their recent run of competitive baseball, finishing the 2025 season 97-65, clinching first place in the NL Central but falling short in the NLCS. Pat Murphy, in his third season as manager, steered the club to another division title, building on a strong foundation left by his predecessor. Matt Arnold, serving as president of baseball operations and general manager for his fourth year, has overseen a steady wave of roster moves designed to keep Milwaukee in the postseason mix.
Dollars and Sense
- Largest luxury tax hit: outfielder Christian Yelich at $23.4 million.
- Top returning players: infielders Brice Turang (4.4 fWAR) and William Contreras (3.6), outfielder Sal Frelick (3.6).
- Top returning starting pitchers: right-hander Chad Patrick (2.6), right-hander Quinn Priester (1.9), right-hander Brandon Woodruff (1.8).
- Top returning relievers: right-hander Abner Uribe (1.7), right-hander Trevor Megill (1.6), left-hander Aaron Ashby (1.2).
Roster Watch
- Key additions: infield Luis Rengifo (free agent), catcher Gary Sánchez (free agent), left-hander Kyle Harrison (trade), infield David Hamilton (trade), left-hander Angel Zerpa (trade), catcher Reese McGuire (minors), shortstop Jett Williams (trade), right-hander Brandon Sproat (trade).
- Key losses: right-hander Freddy Peralta (trade), right-hander Tobias Myers (trade), infield Caleb Durbin (trade), catcher Danny Jansen (free agent), first baseman Rhys Hoskins (free agent), left-hander Jose Quintana (free agent), right-hander Shelby Miller (free agent), catcher Eric Haase (free agent), right-hander Erick Fedde (free agent), left-hander Jordan Montgomery (free agent), outfielder Isaac Collins (trade), right-hander Nick Mears (trade), infield Andruw Monastero (trade).
- Baseball America top-100 prospects: Jesus Made (No. 4), Luis Pena (No. 47), Cooper Pratt (No. 50), Jett Williams (No. 71), Brandon Sproat (No. 81), Logan Henderson (No. 96).
Keep an Eye On
- The Brewers have captured three straight division titles, including two under Murphy after Craig Counsell departed for Milwaukee’s rival Cubs. They earned an MLB-best 97 wins and even knocked off the Cubs in five games in the NLDS before the Dodgers swept them in the NLCS. Murphy earned a contract extension this spring, tying him to Milwaukee through at least 2028.
- The roster churn that has kept Milwaukee competitive remains a focal point (remember Corbin Burnes?). The club will need to replace Peralta by cultivating young pitching depth. In 2026, Chad Patrick posted a 3.53 ERA across 119⅔ innings, while Jacob Misiorowski logged a 4.36 ERA in 66 innings. Sproat could join the rotation at some point this season.
- Outfielder Jackson Chourio, age 21, has gone deep 21 times in each of his first two major-league seasons with an .781 OPS. Milwaukee will look to him to continue anchoring the offense as a central figure.
Fangraphs projection: 82.1 wins
Notes and Related Content
- Padres coverage pieces from the same spring window provide context on the broader landscape and rival outlooks, including Michael King’s health outlook, spring command work, and rotation depth across the division.
- Related progress reports: Arizona Diamondbacks.
If you’re thinking about the Brewers’ path forward, do you believe the incoming mix of veterans and top-tier prospects can propel Milwaukee deeper into the postseason, or will the rebuilding of the pitching staff define their 2026 season? Share your take in the comments.
