Who The Milwaukee Brewers Have Added This Offseason

Though the Milwaukee Brewers weren’t expected to be in the running for some of the top names on the free agent market this offseason, fans were still hoping for a bit of a splash from general manager Matt Arnold as the team looks to return to the playoffs after their four-year run of postseason appearances came to an end in 2023.

What Arnold has done so far hasn’t been flashy but he has managed to address some of the team’s biggest needs — most notably, an everyday catcher and some added offensive punch — while also addressing the team’s depth.

With the start of spring training inching ever closer, here’s a quick look at the Brewers biggest offseason pick-ups:

Brian Anderson, UTL

Milwaukee’s most recent pickup, the versatile Anderson is expected to see regular action at third base and in the outfield, provided of course his bat bounces back from two lackluster seasons and reverts to the form that produced a 349 on-base percentage from 2017-20.

“Brian is a well-rounded player that should help us in a number of ways on both sides of the ball,” said general manager Matt Arnold. “His tools and athleticism, along with how hard he plays the game, are all characteristics we value here with the Brewers, and we are excited to have him on board.”

Wilson Contreras, C

After returning from the Winter Meetings having added only a few minor league free agents and a Rule 5 selection, Arnold pulled off a shocker when he filled Milwaukee’s biggest off-season need by landing Contreras, an All-Star a year ago who’s just 26 and still under team control, as part of a three-way deal with the Braves and Athletics that also added some much-needed pitching depth.

Wade Miley, LHP

The Brewers were the only team that had yet to sign a MLB free agent when they agreed to terms on a reunion with Miley, who played a pivotal role in Milwaukee’s run to the NLCS in 2018.

Miley was limited to just 37 innings last season with the Cubs due to elbow and shoulder injuries but passed his physical with Milwaukee and is expected to add depth to a starting rotation that has carried the Brewers the last two seasons but was thinned by injuries at times in 2022.

“It was frustrating, no doubt,” Miley said of his 2023 issues. “I just felt like with the lockout and everything, Spring Training was a little goofy again. I just really never got on track and was playing catch-up all year long. It was definitely very frustrating, but I feel really good right now. I’m a couple weeks away from getting off the mound. I’m looking forward to it.”

Owen Miller, UTL

Growing up just north of Milwaukee in Mequon, Wis., Miller cheered the Brewers on during the 2011 playoffs. Now, he’ll try to get his childhood team back to the World Series for the fiest time since 1982 after coming over in a December trade from the Guardians.

Like Anderson, Miller is a versatile defender who can play multiple positions and will likely fill the utility role vacated when Jace Peterson signed with Oakland. He also has minor-league options remaining, which will come in handy as the Brewers try to find playing time for him, Abraham Toro and top prospect Brice Turang over the course of the season.

“Owen is someone we are happy to add to our infield mix,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said in a statement. “He brings a combination of athleticism and versatility that helps enhance our depth across the diamond. And bringing home a hometown product is always a nice bonus.”

Abraham Toro, INF

One of two players acquired from Seattle in exchange for second baseman Kolten Wong, Toro falls into the categories of “versatile defender” and “young, controllable talent” that the Brewers emphasize in their player development and roster construction processes.

With a career .621 OPS, Toro is still something of a work-in-progress offensively but provides insurance at multiple infield positions and has minor league options remaining.

Jesse Winker, DH/OF

Though injuries sapped Winker’s power and limited his ability with Seattle last season, few teams know how dangerous Winker is in a lineup better than the Brewers, who were often on the wrong side of his offensive exploits during his time with the Cincinnati Reds.

Winker did some of his best work at American Family Field, slashing .344/.440/.591 in 32 games and if he can produce along those lines as Milwaukee’s designated hitter, it’s easy to see him reverting to the form that made him an All-Star in 2021.

“It’s an amazing place to hit,” Winker said. “You can see the ball. It’s just a great spot. It’s definitely one of my favorite places I’ve ever played and I’m excited to get this thing going.”