The Milwaukee Brewers were quiet on Friday’s tender deadline. Unsurprisingly, Hoby Milner was non-tendered by the organization, Eric Haase avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.35 million contract, and the remainder of their arbitration eligible players were tendered.
Across the league, tender vs non-tender decisions were also made. In this article, we take a look at the non-tendered position players and evaluate which the Brewers might consider pursuing.
2025 non-tendered position players
May 14, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal (1) singles against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Using a tracker from ESPN, here are the non-tendered position players from Friday nights deadline:
OF Ramon Laureano
INF Nick Madrigal
OF Mike Tauchman
1B/RF Gavin Sheets
2B Brendan Rodgers
INF Jon Berti
OF Austin Hays
OF Bryan De La Cruz
OF Connor Joe
3B Josh Rojas
OF Dylan Carlson
Would a former gold glove award winner make sense for the Milwaukee Brewers to pursue?
Apr 12, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers (7) hits a triple against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Of this group, second baseman Brendan Rodgers is a former gold glove award winner with the Colorado Rockies. In 2022 he saved 22 defensive runs, but has been in the negatives every year since. Offensively his career slash line is a respectable .266/.316/.409 in which he can consistently contribute double digit home run totals and 50-60 RBI. With the young makeup of the Brewers roster, Rodgers could slot in as an experienced back up who is a mild power threat. Unfortunately, his defensive regression is alarming and may deter Milwaukee from signing him.
Would Gavin Sheets make sense for the Brewers to take over Jake Bauers 2024 role?
Sep 15, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Gavin Sheets (32) watches his a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Last year the Brewers used left-handed hitting Jake Bauers as a backup at first base to Rhys Hoskins. As of right now, Hoskins is scheduled to return in 2025 and Jake Bauers is currently a free agent. With former Chicago White Sox Gavin Sheets hitting the open market, Milwaukee could consider pursuing him to takeover Bauers role. Sheets has a similar power profile to Bauers, typically hits for a slightly higher batting average (.230 career), strikes out less than Bauers did, and is a plus defender at first base. Milwaukee’s only other back up first base option currently is prospect Tyler Black, so adding a veteran like Sheets on a low risk deal makes some sense.
Follow me on X @tylerkoerth. Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great up to date sports content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!. We cover the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers, and Wisconsin High School Sports. Additionally we provide the latest news coverage on the NFL, MLB, and NBA in which you can follow Gridiron Heroics, Hardwood Heroics, and Homeplate Heroics.
Tyler Koerth is the Lead Milwaukee Brewers Sports Writer at Wisconsin Sports Heroics. Articles have been published on Bleacher Report, Iheart, MSN, Yardbarker, and more. He has been covering the Brewers since 2019.