The Milwaukee Brewers are on a roll, but can they keep the magic going? The team has achieved an impressive 97 wins in 2025, clinching the 1st place in the NL Central. They even made it to the NLCS, though their journey ended there after a tough series against the Dodgers. Manager Pat Murphy, now in his 3rd season with a solid 190-134 record, has been instrumental in this success. Overseeing the team's strategy is Matt Arnold, president of baseball operations and general manager, who is in his 4th season at the helm.
Let's dive into the financial side of things. The largest luxury tax hit belongs to outfielder Christian Yelich, costing the team $23.4 million. Looking at the returning talent, infielder Brice Turang stands out with a 4.4 fWAR, closely followed by catcher William Contreras and outfielder Sal Frelick, both with 3.6 fWAR. On the pitching front, returning starting pitchers include right-handers Chad Patrick (2.6 fWAR), Quinn Priester (1.9 fWAR), and Brandon Woodruff (1.8 fWAR). For the bullpen, we have right-handers Abner Uribe (1.7 fWAR) and Trevor Megill (1.6 fWAR), along with left-hander Aaron Ashby (1.2 fWAR).
Now, let's talk about the roster moves. The Brewers have been busy! Key additions include infielder Luis Rengifo and catcher Gary Sanchez (both via free agency), left-hander Kyle Harrison, infielder David Hamilton, left-hander Angel Zerpa, catcher Reese McGuire (from the minors), shortstop Jett Williams, and right-hander Brandon Sproat (all via trades). On the flip side, they've seen some significant departures. Notable losses include right-handers Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, infielder Caleb Durbin (all traded), catcher Danny Jansen, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, left-hander Jose Quintana, right-hander Shelby Miller, catcher Eric Haase, right-hander Erick Fedde, and left-hander Jordan Montgomery (all free agents). Outfielder Isaac Collins, right-hander Nick Mears, and infielder Andruw Monastero were also part of trades.
But here's where it gets interesting: The Brewers have a knack for consistently reloading their roster, a strategy that has paid off with three consecutive division titles. This success has continued even after the departure of former manager Craig Counsell to the rival Cubs, with Pat Murphy now at the helm. The team's ability to trade away stars like Corbin Burnes and remain competitive is truly remarkable. This year, they'll need to rely on emerging arms like Chad Patrick (who posted a 3.53 ERA over 119⅔ innings) and Jacob Misiorowski (4.36 ERA in 66 innings) to fill the void left by Freddy Peralta's trade to the Mets. Brandon Sproat, acquired in that trade, could also make an impact in the rotation.
And this is the part most people miss... Keep an eye on Jackson Chourio, the 21-year-old outfielder. He's already hit 21 homers in each of his first two major league seasons with an OPS of .781. The Brewers are counting on him to become an even bigger centerpiece of their offense. The Fangraphs projection for the Brewers is 82.1 wins.
What do you think? Is this Brewers team built to sustain its winning ways, or are they due for a step back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
