Milwaukee Brewers

After trading away starting pitcher Corbin Burnes on Thursday, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said the team could be open to making more moves, per MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.

The Brewers dealt Burnes to the Baltimore Oriels for infielder Joey Ortiz, who is the No. 90 player on Bleacher Report's Top 100 MLB Prospects. According to McCalvy, Arnold said there could be more deals coming before the end of the offseason.

"I'm certainly open to more conversations," Arnold said. "I certainly wouldn't shut any conversations down at this point in the offseason."

The Brewers are coming off a 92-70 season where they were eliminated from the postseason in the Wild Card Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Spring Training less than two weeks away, it seems Arnold is looking for some late-offseason deals to yield better results in 2024.

One trade that Arnold might be willing to make could involve Devin Williams. Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Brewers could be open to a trade for the right-handed closer, who has two years of club control remaining before he enters free agency. Feinsand also reported that shortstop Willy Adames could be another player Milwaukee is interested in dealing.

Last season, the 29-year-old Williams had 61 appearances, picking up 36 saves behind 87 strikeouts and a 1.53 ERA. Adames, who is 28, hit at a .217 clip, notching 24 home runs and 80 RBIs.

It's not clear whether Arnold has any particular trades in mind, but it won't be a surprise to see the Brewers making a few more deals before the end of the offseason.

The Milwaukee Brewers already lost manager Craig Counsell to the rival Chicago Cubs this offseason and might be trending toward a rebuilding effort that could include trading away pitcher Corbin Burnes and shortstop Willy Adames.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Milwaukee has "talked with multiple teams about both players." He added the "most likely outcome" is they are moved in separate deals and not the same trade.

Burnes could be a fallback option for teams that are unable to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Morosi highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers as one squad that could take that path once the high-profile free agent signs somewhere.

He also suggested the Brewers will not look to trade either player to the division-rival Cubs.

Both Burns and Adames are under contract for just one more season, so trading them now would allow the Brewers to get something back in return before they potentially go elsewhere after the 2024 campaign.

If a rebuild is around the corner, such moves could accelerate the timeline if they are able to land impressive young talent in either trade.

Burnes is far more than a consolation prize for teams that miss out on Yamamoto. He is coming off his third straight All-Star appearance and fourth consecutive finish in the top eight of the National League Cy Young voting.

He won the Cy Young in 2021 when he led the league with a 2.43 ERA and was still quite effective in 2023 with a 3.39 ERA, league-best 1.07 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 193.2 innings. It was the third straight season he reached the 200-strikeout mark, and he also led the league in that category in 2022 with 243.

Burnes is an ace-level pitcher who is just 29 years old and could anchor the rotation for whichever team trades for him.

As for Adames, he appeared in 149 games last season and slashed .217/.310/.407 with 24 home runs and 80 RBI. While the batting average and on-base percentage left something to be desired, the power stands out after he hit a combined 80 home runs the last three years.

He is just 28 years old and could provide significant power from a middle-infield position for a contender this season.

The Milwaukee Brewers have cracked the MLB playoff field in five of the past six seasons.

They are talented enough to make that stretch six out of seven during the 2024 campaign, which might make the idea of trading away ace Corbin Burnes this offseason feel laughable or even unthinkable.

Remember, though, the best baseball move isn't always the best business decision.

Milwaukee must make a business decision with Burnes soon, since free agency will await him after the upcoming season. He could be less than a year away from pricing himself out of the Badger State anyway, which is why "most believe the Brewers will trade him this year, either before or during the season," per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

The Brewers shouldn't need to drag this out. Not when doing so could diminish Burnes' trade value, potentially setting up a scenario in which Milwaukee loses its best player and collects only pennies on the dollar in return.

He's worth more in a deal now than he would be during the season. Beyond having him around for a full season and being able to work him into the fold during spring training, whichever team acquires him would also get the option of making him a qualifying offer, an option that wouldn't be possible after an in-season trade.

Plus, the pitching market could absolutely erupt as soon as the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes are decided. Teams that fall short in that bidding war might turn their attention toward Burnes in a hurry.

His market is already robust. The Los Angeles Dodgers "could be in play," per Feinsand, who added that the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers "are among the other teams that might try to deal for Burnes depending on what happens with Yamamoto."

Truth be told, just about anyone with win-now intentions for next season and an itch for pitching almost assuredly has some interest in Burnes.

He has topped 165 innings in each of the past three seasons and finished each campaign among the top-10 vote-getters for NL Cy Young. His 2023 effort was probably his least impressive of this stretch, which speaks volumes to how dominant he's been since his numbers this past season included a 3.39 ERA, an NL-best 1.07 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 193.2 innings.

The Brewers, who hope to be competitive again next season, would have a harder time doing so without Burnes. So, their hesitation to let him go is understandable in that aspect.

Once they start weighing the bigger picture, though, that's when a Burnes trade could become the obvious move to make.

And they probably know that. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal noted the Brewers "are willing to trade (Burnes) but only for the proverbial right price."

Milwaukee can and should demand top dollar for Burnes. The fact multiple teams might meet that asking price is the reason a trade looms as a painful but necessary move to make.

Corbin Burnes is likely remaining with the Milwaukee Brewers.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Brewers are "now expected to retain" Burnes rather than dealing him on the trade market.

It's good news for Brewers fans. Burnes, 29, is a three-time All-Star and the 2021 Cy Young award winner. He was excellent in 2023, finishing 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 200 strikeouts across 193.2 innings and 32 starts.

He's helped lead the team to the postseason in five of the last six seasons, though he first emerged as an ace-level starter in the 2020 campaign. For a Brewers team fresh off of winning an NL Central crown, keeping their ace is an indication that a postseason berth remains the goal, even with manager Craig Counsell leaving for the Chicago Cubs.

The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly expected to agree to an eight-year, $80 million contract with outfield prospect Jackson Chourio on Thursday.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the deal includes two team options and it will set the all-time record for the richest contract given to a minor league player.

The previous record belonged to Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, who signed a six-year, $50 million deal in 2020 and has gone on to become an All-Star, Gold Glover and Silver Slugger Award winner.

Chourio, 19, has yet to play in a major league game, and he has just six games of experience above the Double-A level.

Chourio, who is originally from Venezuela, signed with the Brewers as an international free agent in 2021.

He has quickly worked his way through the organization since then and is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com.

After impressing across multiple minor league levels in 2022, Chourio started at Double-A last season and in 122 games, he slashed .280/.336/.467 with 22 home runs, 89 RBI, 84 runs scored and 43 stolen bases.

Chourio was selected to the All-Star Futures Game as a result of his stellar play, and he earned a six-game look at Triple-A, hitting .333 with two RBI and a steal.

At 5'11" and 165 pounds, Chourio is on the smaller side, but he possesses a ton of speed, plenty of pop and the ability to play a strong center field at the major league level.

Last season, the Brewers went 92-70 and won the National League Central, and did it without much production in center field.

Joey Wiemer was the Brewers' primary center fielder, appearing in 121 games at the position, and he hit just .204 with 13 homers, 42 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Even with no major league experience to his credit, Chourio should represent a significant upgrade immediately, and he has a chance to become Milwaukee's leadoff hitter in due time.

The Robert contract showed that striking early can pay big dividends for organizations at times, as he set career highs with 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases this season.

However, there is also risk involved, and Jon Singleton is among the biggest cautionary tales.

The Houston Astros signed Singleton to a five-year, $10 million contract just before his major league debut in 2014, and he appeared in just 114 games over two seasons, and was out of the majors for seven years before resurfacing in 2023.

Milwaukee is making a far larger investment in Chourio than that, but his tools are undeniable, and all signs point toward him potentially becoming a star in the big leagues.

The Milwaukee Brewers are likely to have multiple suitors if they decide to trade starting pitcher Corbin Burnes.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Wednesday "a lot of people around the industry in recent days have said they expect Burnes to be moved before spring training." He added the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels are "all enamored with Burnes to varying degrees."

The Brewers made the playoffs for the fifth time in six years in 2023, but they could be heading toward a radical shift in their short-term priorities.

First came David Stearns' decision to step down as president of baseball operations in October 2022. Milwaukee has now lost another figure instrumental in its recent success, with manager Craig Counsell leaving to take the same position with the Chicago Cubs.

Should the front office decide to start building toward the future, Burnes is a natural candidate to trade.

The 29-year-old is due to be a free agent in 2025, and he's coming off his third straight All-Star appearance. He went 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA, a 3.81 FIP and a National League best 1.069 WHIP in 32 appearances.

The four teams listed off by Morosi all have a clear need for pitching.

The Dodgers' starting rotation remains a bit of a mystery with Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn and Julio Urías all free agents. Urías is also still on administrative leave following his September arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.

The Giants have likewise watched Alex Cobb and Sean Manaea hit the open market, and they could use another top-end starter behind Logan Webb.

For San Diego, acquiring Burnes would allow the team to improve its staff without stretching its finances too thin beyond 2024.

The Angels, meanwhile, have been stuck in a perpetual chase for good starting pitching for years, long predating Shohei Ohtani's free agency this winter.

Given his pedigree, Burnes probably has even more teams interested in his services. Only having him for one more year of arbitration hinders what the Brewers can get back in a trade, but there's almost certainly a worthwhile offer out there should the bidding get underway.

The Milwaukee Brewers and their top prospect Jackson Chourio are reportedly discussing a deal that would set history for a player who has yet to play at the major league level.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the two sides are negotiating a "landmark contract" for Chourio, who is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in baseball by MLB.com.

Rosenthal noted that the largest agreement for a player with no major-league experience currently is the six-year, $50 million contract that outfielder Luis Robert signed with the Chicago White Sox in Jan. 2020. However, Chourio's deal reportedly "would be longer and guarantee him more money" despite the fact that he's played just six games above the Double-A level.

The two sides have been involved in "months of on-and-off discussions.' A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Chourio will turn 20 in March and was the youngest player to appear in Double-A in 2023. If an agreement is reached, Rosenthal stated that "it would remove service time as a consideration for the Brewers in their decision on when to promote him, and likely ensure his place in their Opening Day lineup."

Chourio spent the majority of 2023 in Double-A and hit .280 with 22 homers and an .803 OPS. However, the outfielder excelled even further when he made it to Triple-A Nashville, batting .333 with no homers and an .851 OPS in just 24 plate appearances.

If Chourio agrees to a deal, he will become the sixth player to do so before reaching the major league level, joining Robert, White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez, Seattle Mariners first baseman Evan White, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Scott Kingery and Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff has been non-tendered.

"Today we had to make a very difficult decision relating to one of the best pitchers and human beings in franchise history," general manager Matt Arnold said in a statement released by the team. "Throughout his 10 seasons with the organization, Brandon Woodruff has represented the Brewers with class, kindness, heart, and toughness."

The two-time All-Star is expected to miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Woodruff will now be a free agent.

The 30-year-old has spent his entire MLB tenure as a member of the Brewers, finishing with a record of 46-26 while recording 115 starts. He owns a career 3.10 ERA, finishing fifth in NL Cy Young voting in 2021.

Despite dealing with shoulder issues throughout the 2023 season before he was eventually left off Milwaukee's Wild Card Series roster, Woodruff compiled a 5-1 record and a 2.28 ERA. He struck out 74 batters in 67.0 innings.

The Brewers were reportedly in trade talks with "multiple" teams prior to the move, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. However, they clearly weren't able to find the right deal.

This doesn't mean that Woodruff has been completely ruled out of Milwaukee's future plans, though.

"We remain very open to his return to Milwaukee, and regardless of what uniform he wears next, [Woodruff] will always be a member of the Brewers family," Arnold said.

However, it's not hard to imagine that there will be several suitors for the right-hander. Although there is a fair amount of uncertainty regarding his return from the surgery, the reward could outweigh the risk for some.

Especially for a pitcher such as Woodruff, who's held opponents to a .214 batting average in 680.1 innings of work.