The Milwaukee Brewers currently have a hole to fill at first base. Carlos Santana, who finished the 2023 season as the everyday first baseman after being acquired via trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, is a free agent. Additionally, Rowdy Tellez was non-tendered in the middle of November and is also a free agent. This leaves newly acquired Jake Bauers and utility player Owen Miller as the only two options with first base experience that are currently on the 40-man roster.
If Milwaukee wanted to think outside of the box, and try a repeat experiment of moving an MVP to first base (Ryan Braun tried the transition), they could consider removing Christian Yelich from the outfield. Arm strength has been an issue for Christian Yelich in the past, so positioning him in the dirt may mitigate that while also freeing up an outfield spot one of the Crews plethora of young outfielders.
Related: Milwaukee Brewers fielding offers from one position of depth (report).
Up until this point moving Christian Yelich to first base was a speculation that fans had because it made sense. During Winter Meetings Matt Arnold provided insight on that theory.
Per Milwaukee Brewers GM Matt Arnold, Christian Yelich is not in consideration for playing time at first base.
Adam McCalvy, who sat down with Matt Arnold during Winter Meetings, reported that a shift from the outfield to first base is not in the cards for Christian Yelich. Rather he will continue to receive playing time in left field as well as get at-bats as the designated hitter.
One possibility that Matt Arnold did not rule out was the possibility of re-uniting with Carlos Santana. The veteran will be 38 years old next season and has not yet signed with another team. He made a big impact on the team in a very short period of time a season ago, so returning to Milwaukee could benefit both sides.
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