The Milwaukee Brewers‘ season came to a painful close at the hands of the Dodgers in the NLCS, a 4-0 sweep that ended the team’s hopes of reaching its first World Series since 1982 and of winning its first ever. For everyone but the Dodgers and Blue Jays, now, it’s off to next season.
About which the Brewers have some looming questions in the starting five. Jose Quintana is a free agent. Brandon Woodruff has a $20 million mutual option that could need re-negotiating. Freddy Peralta is entering his final year under contract on an $8 million team option. Whether to try and hold onto him is perhaps the most impactful question facing the front office.
In all likelihood Peralta would prove too expensive in free agency, giving the Brewers little choice but to start considering trades. They have reportedly begun listening to offers and will probably continue to do so until the trade deadline if a deal isn’t done before then.
Whether he stays or goes in a move during the offseason, here’s a look in either scenario at what the rotation could look like on opening day.
Brewers’ 2026 starting rotation
There is, of course, the possibility that Milwaukee signs someone during the offseason. Rather than hazard some guesses as to who that might be, let’s just assume, for now, that they construct this thing internally.
Let’s also assume that Woodruff and the Brewers figure something out. Maybe he pitched well enough in 12 starts last season that they will agree to the original $20 million salary despite his recurring injury concerns. Alternatively, they could renegotiate a different deal. Either way, pencil him in for next season, for however many innings he can provide.
Quinn Priester has earned his way back. Quintana will be 37 years old by spring training. They decide to go younger.
Obviously, that means including Jacob Misiorowski, who followed an up-and-down regular season with a dazzling performance in the playoffs.
For the final spot, three pitchers should all be in the running: Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, and Robert Gasser. Throw in Tobias Myers, although the Brewers may be for real about using him in a relief role. In 22 appearances last season, he made only six starts.
Of the main three, Patrick and Henderson are the top options. Gasser only made two major-league appearances after working his back from injury. For whatever its worth, he did not look good in two playoff outings. He’s the odd man out. It would be very un-Brewers like, but they still have so much young pitching that trading one of them could be on the table this offseason. (News flash: it won’t happen.)
Henderson’s 2025 was derailed by an elbow injury, but the rookie right-hander sparkled in five starts: 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 25.1 innings. The Brewers gave him preference over Patrick when calling up a starter from Triple-A during Misiorowski’s stint on the injured list. Like Myers, Patrick ended the season in a bullpen role, though he seems less likely to remain a reliever (27, 23 starts, 119.2 IP).
Give the nod to Henderson as Milwaukee’s fifth starter.
With Peralta to begin the season.
- Freddy Peralta
- Brandon Woodruff
- Jacob Misiorowski
- Quinn Priester
- Logan Henderson
Next man up: Patrick.
With Woodruff’s injuries, plus Henderson’s own arm ailments and limited major-league reps, in addition to regular wear and tear on pitchers, he should have plenty of chances. The Brewers could also deploy him for spot starts even absent of injury to keep everyone fresh during the season.
That doesn’t even factor in the Peralta question.
Without Peralta:
- Brandon Woodruff
- Jacob Misiorowski
- Quinn Priester
- Logan Henderson
- Chad Patrick
Next man up: Gasser/Myers.
Anyway you slice it – even in the event that Woodruff isn’t back – the Brewers have their bases at least somewhat covered. The season didn’t end how they wanted it to, and trading Peralta would be a gut-punch, but as far as rotation talent goes they are in a good place moving forward.
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