As the 2023 MLB winter meetings kick off in Nashville, the Milwaukee Brewers are at a crossroads, caught between an opportunity to win now and the temptation to cash in their chips and build toward a brighter future. But recent moves, ongoing player development and comments from the front office offer some clues about what fans can expect from the busiest days of the offseason.

Are the Milwaukee Brewers Buying or Selling at the Winter Meetings?

The coming days are sure to be filled with splashy signings and seismic shifts of the baseball landscape and the Milwaukee Brewers could very well be at their center. But the team may have already made its biggest offseason move with a record-breaking extension for five-tool prospect Jackson Chourio. 

After giving the 19-year-old Chourio more money than any player with zero MLB service time has ever seen, it might seem like Milwaukee Brewers General Manager Matt Arnold is headed to Nashville with the intention of selling off some of his biggest trade chips, including starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, shortstop Willy Adames and newly-anointed National League reliever of the year Devin Williams. 

However, Arnold has downplayed that potential in public so far.

“We don’t really feel like there’s any sense of urgency there,” Arnold said of flipping his stars. “They’re really good players, and we like having them. We certainly appreciate the interest from around the league anytime that happens, but we feel like these guys are a huge part of what we’re trying to do here.” 

But if the intention is for Chourio to play centerfield in 2024, as reports have indicated, the Milwaukee Brewers may have to move at least one of the other eight outfielders on their roster.

“The addition of Chourio would make them even deeper, creating the possibility of the team trading an outfielder for pitching or infield help,” Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported. “A Chourio agreement … would enable the Brewers to show they are investing in the next wave of talent at a time when they are open to trades for right-hander Corbin Burnes, shortstop Willy Adames and closer Devin Williams.”

Given the breadth of young talent on the roster and the depth of league interest in their veterans, it seems like the Milwaukee Brewers are most likely to be sellers at the 2023 winter meetings.

Milwaukee Brewers Club Needs for Winter Meetings 2023

As the Milwaukee Brewers consider offers from the rest of the league, there are certain on-the-field needs they’ll be most focused on.

With Burnes likely on the chopping block and Brandon Woodruff entering free agency, the Milwaukee Brewers are down to a rotation of three: Freddy Peralta, Adrian Houser and Aaron Ashby — with Colin Rea and Robert Gasser potentially getting some starts as well. Like most of the MLB, the Milwaukee Brewers will be seeking more depth at starting pitcher.

And, even after acquiring infielders Oliver Dunn and Jake Bauers, Arnold has indicated he will keep his eyes peeled for additional help at the plate.

“I think we’d like to see if we could add a little more offense in different ways, if we can,” he said recently. “Certainly, adding more offense would be somewhat of a target.”

The Milwaukee Brewers Are Building New Manager Pat Murphy’s Team at the Winter Meetings

It’s unlikely that any offseason move will eclipse Craig Counsell’s shocking departure for the Chicago Cubs. But the Pat Murphy era will officially begin in Nashville, and it’s been reported that the new manager will be heavily involved in all winter meeting discussions.

“(Murphy’s) going to be involved in and actively a part of our discussions,” Arnold told Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “He has a great perspective… We certainly want his input here on any decisions that we’re making.”

Whether they are buying or selling, leveraging the future to win in 2024 or looking further down the road, it seems the Milwaukee Brewers hope to do so with Murphy at the helm.