Key Offseason Changes
The Brewers made a franchise-altering trade, sending All-Star ace Freddy Peralta and reliever Tobias Myers to the New York Mets for pitcher Brandon Sproat and versatile prospect Jett Williams. Peralta had led the NL with 17 wins in 2025 and was the unquestioned ace following the Corbin Burnes trade. The move signals Milwaukee's commitment to their sustainable development model over expensive extensions.
The rotation received a major boost when Brandon Woodruff accepted his $22.025M qualifying offer, keeping "Big Woo" in Milwaukee for 2026. After dealing with late-season injuries, Woodruff is reportedly enjoying a normal offseason and will be a full go for spring training. Sproat, acquired from the Mets, brings an electric fastball and elite sweeper and should slot directly into the rotation.
The front office has been constrained by TV deal uncertainties affecting their payroll flexibility. Minor league signings include Gerson Garabito (2.64 ERA in Korea) and Drew Rom as depth options. The organizational philosophy remains focused on developing cost-controlled talent over free agent splashes.
Projected Starting Lineup
| Order | Player | Position | Prop Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sal Frelick | LF | Contact-first leadoff, emerging power |
| 2 | Brice Turang | 2B | Speed/defense, developing bat |
| 3 | William Contreras | C | All-Star catcher, 25+ HR power |
| 4 | Jackson Chourio | CF | Franchise cornerstone, elite ceiling |
| 5 | Christian Yelich | RF | Former MVP, health permitting |
| 6 | Andrew Vaughn | 1B | Power bat, reclamation candidate |
| 7 | Joey Ortiz | SS | Defensive anchor, contact bat |
| 8 | Jett Williams | 3B/UTIL | Peralta trade return, versatile defender |
| 9 | Jake Bauers | DH | LH depth, platoon bat |
The lineup is anchored by the electric duo of William Contreras and Jackson Chourio, both capable of 25+ homers with All-Star upside. Christian Yelich's health remains the wild card; when right, he's still an MVP-caliber talent, but the injury history is concerning. Andrew Vaughn arrives as a reclamation project with untapped power potential. Jett Williams, acquired in the Peralta trade, provides versatility but his exact role remains undefined heading into spring.
Projected Starting Rotation
| Slot | Pitcher | Throws | Prop Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP1 | Brandon Woodruff | R | Accepted $22M QO, veteran ace |
| SP2 | Brandon Sproat | R | Peralta trade return, elite sweeper |
| SP3 | Quinn Priester | R | Young arm, developing command |
| SP4 | Jacob Misiorowski | R | Future ace, electric stuff |
| SP5 | Logan Henderson | R | Depth option, competing for spot |
The post-Peralta rotation will be led by Brandon Woodruff, who assumes the veteran ace role after accepting his qualifying offer. Woodruff's health is critical, as he dealt with late-season issues in 2025. Brandon Sproat brings immediate impact with his electric fastball and sweeper, while Jacob Misiorowski has the highest ceiling of any arm in the organization. Misiorowski is considered the next ace in Milwaukee, featuring some of the most electric stuff in the game. Quinn Priester and Logan Henderson round out a young, high-upside rotation.
Bullpen & Closer Situation
Closer: The situation is fluid heading into spring training. Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and DL Hall all possess late-inning stuff and will compete for save opportunities. Uribe's velocity and Megill's experience make them the frontrunners, but this is a committee to monitor.
Setup: DL Hall brings a devastating slider and lefty swing-and-miss stuff. Aaron Ashby could factor into high-leverage spots when healthy, while Jared Koenig proved valuable in 2024 and should continue in a mid-leverage role. Grant Anderson provides additional depth.
Development: The Brewers have shown a remarkable ability to develop relievers (Tobias Myers, Jared Koenig were non-roster invitees who became key contributors). Gerson Garabito's 2.64 ERA in Korea makes him an intriguing spring training story who could earn a roster spot.