2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have been a highly competitive team over the last five years, winning the NL Central three times and making the MLB Postseason four times. But, success comes at a cost. And with players looking to cash out, the Brewers had to make tough decisions during the 2024-25 offseason.

Notable Additions

• SP Nestor Cortes (2.6 bWAR)
• SP Jose Quintana (2.5 bWAR)

Given the fact the Brewers are a small-market team, one would expect a quieter offseason — even though Milwaukee won the NL Central in 2024. The Brewers added two notable starters, one via trade and one via free agency.

In a trade with the Yankees, Milwaukee picked up infielder 2024 AFL standout Caleb Durbin and Nestor Cortes.

Cortes was an All-Star in 2022 and arguably was one of the best pitchers that season. He was limited to 12 appearances in 2023, and Cortes’ 2024 season was defined by temporarily being pulled from the Yankees’ rotation and a major mistake in Game 1 of the World Series.

Still, there’s a lot to like with Cortes. The 30-year-old is extremely deceptive, as he’ll often change his arm slot on the fly. He can pound opposing hitters with a high-carrying fastball — or use one of many other offerings.

However, Cortes and Durbin came at a significant cost.

The other big piece who joined the Brewers was Jose Quintana. Quintana, one of the better veteran pitchers on the market, didn’t get signed until March 3. While Quintana doesn’t throw hard, we noted that Quintana does multiple things well, namely, manipulate the baseball and limit hard contact.

Aside from those two, the Brewers also brought in outfielders Mark Canha and Manuel Margot on Minor League deals. Canha returns after he helped lead Milwaukee to the NL Central title two years ago.

Notable Losses

• SS Willy Adames (3.1 bWAR)
• SP Frankie Montas (0.6 bWAR, 0.0 bWAR with Brewers)
• RP Hoby Milner (-0.6 bWAR)
• SP Colin Rea (1.2 bWAR)
• SP/RP Joe Ross (0.5 bWAR)
• C/DH Gary Sanchez (0.2 bWAR)
• RP Devin Williams (1.4 bWAR)

Much like in 2023-24, the Brewers had to part with key pieces of their core. That is, unfortunately, the way when it comes to smaller-market organizations.

Willy Adames hit free agency after a standout career in Milwaukee. Adames produced almost immediately after he was acquired from the Rays, as he hit 20 home runs over 99 contests in 2021 before 30+ home run campaigns in 2022 & 2024.

Adames was also a strong defender in his own right. However, he’ll now take his talents to the Giants.

The Brewers also traded Devin Williams to the Yankees. Williams ranked in the top-15 in strikeouts among relievers over the last four seasons, thanks in large part to his signature changeup. However, it’s not surprising to see him get moved out.

The former NL Rookie of the Year is a year away from free agency, and the Brewers saw Trevor Megill rise to prominence while Williams spent the first half of the year on the IL.

Aside from those names, Milwaukee didn’t retain midseason acquisition Frankie Montas. The Brewers also non-tendered trippy reliever Hoby Milner.

What to Expect in 2025

The NL Central should be wide open this season, as several teams have a shot at winning the division crown. Milwaukee should be one of those teams.

Milwaukee did retain Rhys Hoskins, who chose not to opt out of the player option in his deal after he hit .214/.303/.419 (.722 OPS). Hoskins has pop, and with Adames gone, he will be shouldered upon to make the loss sting a little bit less.

But more importantly, the Brewers have a lot of young, exciting talent. Jackson Chourio quickly developed into a star, Joey Ortiz showed a good knack for making contact, while Sal Frelick and Brice Turang were both creators of havoc on the basepaths. Even with Adames gone, the Brewers should have multiple ways to score runs on teams.

And with Brandon Woodruff looming as an addition to their pitching staff, Milwaukee’s pitching staff should be fine as well.