Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff throws during the first inning of a baseball … [+]
With 18 players eligible for salary arbitration, it will be a very busy winter for Matt Arnold, the Milwaukee Brewers’ new president of baseball operations.
Among that group are key pieces of the Brewers core, who the team — and fans — would no doubt like to keep around for years to come.
Here are Milwaukee’s top three candidates for a contract extension:
RHP Corbin Burnes
Despite winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2021, right-hander Corbin Burnes said he had not been … [+]
2023 Opening Day Age: 28
Projected 2023 Salary: $11.4 million
Free Agent Eligibility: 2025
After winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2021, Burnes became the first pitcher in franchise history to lead the league in strikeouts last season when he fanned 243 batters while going 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in an MLB-best 33 starts.
Yet, for whatever reason, the Brewers had not yet reached out to Burnes and his agent about a potential contract extension, according to an interview he gave Adam McCalvy of MLB.com in September.
“You would think maybe there would have been some initial talks last offseason, but nothing,” Burnes told McCalvy.
Burnes still has two years of team control remaining so there’s no urgency from a time standpoint but on the other hand, it stands to reason that Burnes will only continue to get better in which case, his price tag — both now and in terms of a multi-year deal — will only go up.
What remains to be seen is whether or not the Brewers, who have been burned many times in the past by long-term deals for pitchers, are willing to make the kind of financial commitment necessary to keep their homegrown ace around for a few more years.
RHP Brandon Woodruff
Brandon Woodruff went 8-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts after missing nearly a month on the injured … [+]
2023 Opening Day Age: 30
Projected 2023 Salary: $11 million
Free Agent Eligibility: 2025
Like Burnes, Woodruff is a homegrown talent who the Brewers have developed into one of the top pitchers in baseball.
He went 13-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 27 starts in 2022 including an 8-1 mark and 2.38 ERA in his final 18 starts following a month-long stint on the injured list for a right ankle sprain and a bout of Reynaud’s Syndrome.
Though he doesn’t have the awards and accolades of Burnes, Woodruff is every bit as talented and dominant as his fellow right-hander yet, the lack of a Cy Young on his resume could make it slightly more affordable for Milwaukee to work out an extension.
The downside, of course, is Woodruff’s age. He’ll turn 30 just before reporting to Phoenix for spring training. Though he shows no signs of losing his touch any time soon, there’s always a risk involved when it comes to signing pitchers over 30 — especially at the back end of deals.
SS Willy Adames
Willy Adames’ 31 homers in 2021 were the most ever by a Brewers’ shortstop.
Opening Day 2023 Age: 27
Projected 2023 Salary: $9.2 million
Free Agent Eligibility: 2025
Named the Brewers’ Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive season by the Milwaukee Chapter of the Baseball Writers of America, Adames put together another solid season in 2021 when be slashed .238/.298/.458 with 31 home runs, 98 RBIs an a .756 OPS.
He’s been a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s clubhouse chemistry, too; a popular and respected teammate who’s known for his energy and positive attitude.
Adames doesn’t hit free agency until 2025, so there’s still time to get a deal done but like Burnes, Adames’ price will only go up as he continues to perform so it would behoove Milwaukee to lock him in if only for the benefit of some cost certainty.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwagner/2022/10/31/the-milwaukee-brewers-top-three-candidates-for-a-contract-extension/