The Milwaukee Brewers have a chance for a franchise first this season, winning the NL Central for a third consecutive year. However, it will be an uphill battle for the Brew Crew, or at least that’s the consensus among sportsbooks. According to DraftKings, Milwaukee approaches Spring Training as +250 to win the division, trailing the Chicago Cubs (-120) for the top spot. With the 2025 season nearing its Opening Day, one media outlet graded each team’s offseason.
Per Yahoo Sports, the Milwaukee Brewers had an uneventful offseason, failing to move the meter similar to that of the Cubs and their other division foe, the Cincinnati Reds. Yahoo Sports went as far as saying this offseason was “uninspiring” for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee Brewers Receive Harsh Offseason Grade
According to Yahoo Sports Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo Sports:
Milwaukee Brewers: C
Acquired SP Nestor Cortes INF Caleb Durbin via trade from New York
Acquired RP Grant Anderson via trade from Texas
Selected RP Connor Thomas from St. Louis in Rule 5 Draft
Fresh off a 93-win season, the Milwaukee Brewers had a lifeless offseason, highlighted by the loss of superstar closer Devin Williams. Milwaukee shipped Williams to the New York Yankees, receiving starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin in return. Cortes will slot into the backend of the Brewers’ rotation, owning a 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 30 starts last season. Meanwhile, Durbin slugged ten homers and stole 31 bases across three minor league levels in 2024. Milwaukee also added a pair of arms via trade and the Rule 5 Draft, although neither has significant big-league experience.
Yahoo Sports exclaimed that the Milwaukee Brewers “deserve the benefit of the doubt as this division’s most consistent contender of the past half-decade,” but question if the team can secure another NL Central title with other division members, like the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, making significant offseason moves.
Cubs and Reds Stockpile Talent In Attempt To Dethrone Milwaukee
While Yahoo Sports believes the Milwaukee Brewers did not get better this offseason, the same can not be said about the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. While Milwaukee earned an offseason grade of “C,” the Reds paced the division with a grade of “A-.” Most notably, Cincinnati inked manager Terry Francona as their next bench boss. Francona, a three-time AL Manager of the Year winner, has won two World Series during his managerial career. The Reds also went out and added outfield Austin Hayes, pitcher Brady Singer, and second baseman Gavin Lux, all former top prospects who have flashed brilliance in their young careers.
As for Chicago, they had arguably the biggest offseason acquisition, the addition of former Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker via trade. Tucker has accumulated 21.2 WAR in his past four seasons, earning MVP votes thrice and launching 112 home runs in 525 games. They also bolstered their bullpen by adding late-inning arms Eli Morgan and Ryan Pressly.
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