MLB free agency and the ability to trade won’t begin until the day after the World Series, but already there are plenty of speculations as to what moves the Milwaukee Brewers should make this off-season. One area of focus for the Brew Crew this winter may be the infield as Willy Adames is scheduled to be a free agent and Rhys Hoskins has the ability to opt out of his contract if he so chooses.
The Brewers can approach the loss of Willy Adames a few different ways. They could promote internally by having Joey Ortiz or Brice Turang move over to shortstop. This subsequently would open a door for Tyler Black to get an extended look at MLB playing time next year. Another option would be to add a shortstop externally in which trade candidate Bo Bichette is by far the best available option.
Should Rhys Hoskins depart as well, the Brewers would also need a first baseman. Jake Bauers was okay in a complimentary role last year; therefore if he is retained through arbitration a similar role would be what’s best for him again next year. Tyler Black does have experience playing first base, but otherwise prospects like Brock Wilken, Mike Boeve, Luke Adams, and the recently drafted Blake Burke are all a few years away from being big league ready.
Regardless of what happens Milwaukee will most certainly be scanning the free agent market for shortstops, third basemen (should Joey Ortiz slide over to shortstop), and first basemen. Here we take a look at three players whom fans should not get excited about signing because they are already projected to be too pricey for the Brewers.
Three MLB free agents who are too pricey for the Milwaukee Brewers
- First Baseman Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso has been great in a New York Mets uniform throughout his career as he has hit 226 home runs and accumulated 586 RBI across six seasons. A similar salary comp for what he might make as a free agent includes Matt Olson’s eight year, $168 million deal. This is too pricey for an organisation like Milwaukee.
- Third Baseman Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman is a well established player in the league and at age 30 his tenure with the Houston Astros may be over as they don’t have a great track record of keeping star players. This winter he could get a similar deal ranging anywhere from Kris Bryan’ts seven year, $182 million deal to Nolan Arenado’s eight year, $260 million deal. Either way the Brewers wont commit $26-32.5 million a year to sign Alex Bregman.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Shortstop Willy Adames
Brewers fans should already realize that Willy Adames most likely played his last game in a Brewers uniform. His spectacular 32 home run and 112 RBI season has him set up for a massive payday. Jim Bowden at The Athletic projected him to sign for six years, $150 million but other reports have Adames signing for longer and getting more than $200 million.
I would not expect the Brewers to sign any of these three players this off-season. Rather they will look for bargain signings or only commit to signing a more expensive player if the duration of the contract is on the shorter side of things.
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