The Milwaukee Brewers are a very calculated team. This means that their actions come with full awareness of a situation including any consequences. Recently it was reported that they agreed to bring free agent pitcher Brandon Woodruff back on a two year contract despite him possibility not being able to pitch in 2024 due to undergoing shoulder surgery this off-season.
Why was Brandon Woodruff a free agent?
Despite previously being under team control through the 2024 season the Brewers elected to non-tender Woodruff at the deadline in November. This meant that at that time they were not going to guarantee him a contract for 2024 and rather than pay him the estimated $11.6 million that he was due in arbitration he was removed from the 40-man roster and became a free agent. There was a lot of speculation at that time that the Brew Crew and Woodruff were discussing a two year contract but at that time nothing ever came to fruition.
How does re-signing Brandon Woodruff now impact the 40-man roster?
At the time that the Woodruff signing was reported the 40-man roster was full. Even though 60-day injured lists are once again an option (temporarily removes a player from the 40-man roster) an open roster spot has to be available in order for a player to officially sign with a ball club. This means that once the Woodruff signing is officially announced by the organization that a corresponding roster move will take place.
Would the Milwaukee Brewers still have room for Gary Sanchez after the Brandon Woodruff signing?
Once the Brewers sign Woodruff and then place him on the 60-day IL the 40-man roster will go down to 39. Theoretically this makes room for catcher/designated Gary Sanchez. He reportedly signed with Milwaukee a few weeks ago but has not been seen in camp yet. It’s been a mystery as to what happened with Sanchez but perhaps Matt Arnold was waiting for Woodruff to sign first before announcing the Sanchez deal.
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