Despite losing shortstop Willy Adames to free agency, the Milwaukee Brewers fully expect to, once again, be contenders in 2025. After hitting .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in 2024, Adames signed a seven-year $182 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. It is the largest contract in Giants franchise history (which dates back to 1883) and the third-largest for any Dominican-born MLB player.
Obviously, Adames was the Brewers’ leader in home runs and RBI last season. In fact, he led Milwaukee in home runs and RBI in 2023 as well, and RBI in 2022.
With their star shortstop gone, the Brewers need to find a way to replace his offense. Fortunately, it sounds like one of their star players already under contract will be back to help provide a boost.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Gives Optimistic Update on Christian Yelich
MLB’s winter meetings started on Monday, and many managers and executives were made available for interviews with the media. Murphy, the 2024 NL Manager of the Year, was one of them.
He was asked about Christian Yelich and his rehab from mid-season back surgery, and his response will excite fans.
While the three-time All-Star and 2018 NL MVP has not begun swinging a bat yet, he is right on schedule for Spring Training.
“I think that was a big part of why he had the surgery sooner than later,” Arnold said according to Todd Rosiak. “He’s in a really good spot right now.”
In 73 games last season, Yelich finally appeared to be back to where he was before he shattered his knee cap in 2019. While he did not have the power numbers fans became accustomed to during his first two seasons in Milwaukee, Yelich hit .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI. He also stole 21 bases and was voted as a starter in the All-Star Game.
Pat Murphy Also Gave an Optimistic Update on Brandon Woodruff
In addition to Yelich’s update, Murphy also talked about two-time All-Star starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff, who missed all of 2024 (and most of 2023) with shoulder injuries.
“It’s hard to say at the moment (whether he will be in the rotation to open the season),” he said according to Rosiak. “I think certainly, we have expectations that he’ll be part of our rotation. We also want to be cautious with him and his health.”
While this may sound cautious (and it is), the news is also good for fans who have been anxiously awaiting Woodruff’s return. The Brewers are also in desperate need of starting pitching depth, and Woodruff is among the game’s best when he is healthy.
Hopefully neither player suffers a set-back.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Willy Adames Was Given 1 Piece of Advice from Pat Murphy After He Signed His Massive Contract
- Milwaukee Brewers Are 1 Team Engaged in Garrett Crochet Trade Discussions
- Former Milwaukee Brewers Executive Signs Juan Soto to $765 Million Contract
- Milwaukee Brewers: Jackson Chourio Makes Important Offseason Announcement
- Former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Finally Gets Elected to the Hall of Fame
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