Article: Grading The Brewers Offseason: Moves the Crew Didn't Make This Winter

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What often kills any effort for success isn’t what someone or some organization does; it’s what it fails to do.

Image courtesy of © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In this case, what the Brewers have not done during the offseason is the difference between a deep playoff run and watching the playoffs on TV. Let’s look at what didn’t happen over the offseason for the Brewers.

November 6, 2022

Not Re-Signing Jace Peterson
In 2020, 2021, and 2022, Peterson proved immensely valuable to the Brewers in a soft platoon with Luis Urias at third base while also seeing time at second base, left field, and right field. He flashed occasional power, drew lots of walks, and was good at stealing bases. The Brewers let him walk, and he signed a two-year deal with Oakland for $9.5 million. The price may be high, but Peterson was a known quantity and reliable producer, and Abraham Toro, Owen Miller, and Brian Anderson could fill in much of the gap. However, the stolen base abilities will be missed. Grade: D+ 

Not Re-Signing Taylor Rogers
Taylor Rogers was one of the two major leaguers acquired in the hotly-debated Josh Hader deal. He wasn't exactly lights out but did accumulate 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He later signed a three-year deal with the Giants averaging $11 million per season. The Brewers have few lefties in the pen left, though. Between Aaron Ashby’s shoulder and the waiver-wire loss of Brent Suter, it leaves Hoby Milner as the best left-handed option in the pen unless some NRIs like Alex Claudio and Thomas Pannone or prospects like Ethan Small and Clayton Andrews step up. But if the Crew couldn’t afford eight figures for Hader, Rogers was also too expensive. Grade: C+

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November 7, 2022

Not Re-Signing Omar Narvaez
Omar Narvaez was hoped to be a solid bat-first catcher for the Crew, but in two out of three years, his production was closer to the Uecker line than an All-Star level performance. He did get one All-Star Game appearance, but it was clear he wasn’t a long-term answer. He received a one-year deal for $8 million from the Mets, while the Crew got William Contreras and two relievers for Esteury Ruiz. Grade: A+

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November 10, 2022

Not Exercising Brad Boxberger’s Option
Brad Boxberger was a very solid seventh inning option before the Hader trade and would have been alright as a set-up man for Devin Williams. The Crew spent $750,000 while Boxberger went to a division rival. With Brent Suter waived and the injury to Jake Cousins, perhaps keeping Boxberger, a known quantity, would have been smart, even though he’s closer to 35 than 30, but the Brewers did get a lot of options in other moves. Grade: C-

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No Date In Particular

Not Extending Willy Adames
Adames has been a superb acquisition for Milwaukee, but the team needs to get him extended or explore a trade. The former would be preferable before the team finds itself behind the eight ball. Maybe there is more to Cam Devanney or Eduardo Garcia than fans know; maybe Eric Brown rockets through the minors like Sal Frelick. At the same time, given that the Brewers did deal promising pitcher Drew Rasmussen for Adames, who has power and superb defense, an extension seems like something that should happen. Grade: D-

Not Extending Brandon Woodruff
Laboring in the shadow of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff has been racking up a lot of the rate stats like a true ace. While less dominating than Burnes, Woodruff is more affordable in a sense. With Peralta and Ashby having shoulder issues, an extension should happen. Grade: D- 

Not Resolving the Corbin Burnes Situation
Could the Brewers have kept Burnes? It may be a year too late for a long-term extension, but there always was the option to go full Bobby Bonilla with massive deferred payments. The other option was to deal with Burnes and get a haul of prospects. It has yet to happen. On the one hand, the Crew has loaded up for a 2023 run. On the other hand, the return could be lower. A World Series win could change things a lot. Grade: Incomplete

No Big Free-Agent Signings
Brewers fans got frustrated watching big free agents sign elsewhere as the team had holes at catcher, designated hitter, and third base. But Matt Arnold didn’t panic or rush to make a deal – and the Brewers ended up with superb options at all three positions and added arms who could help in the bullpen and rotation. Grade: B

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