Brandon Woodruff is still out there, and that alone has Brewers fans watching closely.
After 13 years in the organization, the right-hander is on the open market, but there’s now at least a reason to think Milwaukee could still bring him back. MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy said Saturday that Woodruff is the Brewers’ “most likely” candidate to return in free agency, while also noting the obvious concern that comes with him.
“Could any of the others return? Woodruff would be the most likely candidate if the sides can agree on terms for a player who means so much to the franchise, but he carries significant injury risk,” McCalvy wrote.
That tension defines the whole conversation. Woodruff, drafted by the Brewers in the 11th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, has been with the club ever since and finally picked up the first World Series ring of his career this fall. He’s played in nine big league seasons, and when he’s been on the mound, he’s still shown he can get hitters out.
The problem is availability. Woodruff, now 33, pitched in just 21 regular season games over the last two seasons after missing the entire 2024 campaign.
He was healthy enough to appear in the World Series, but the injury risk is real. In 2025, he posted a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts.
In 2026, he had a 2.98 ERA in nine starts.
From Milwaukee’s side, the fit is easy to see. The Brewers are positioned to make another run next year, and Woodruff would help.
But the money matters, and the club is not going to suddenly start operating like the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Mets. That’s not how Milwaukee has done business, even if it has worked well for them.
A deal in the range of two years at an average annual value of $10 million per year was floated as the ceiling of what the Brewers should offer. Even that could be considered aggressive, but Woodruff’s value goes beyond the numbers. He’s a franchise cornerstone and a leader in the clubhouse.
For now, though, it’s still just a possibility. McCalvy’s report is a good sign for Brewers fans, but nothing is done yet. Until there’s a signature on the page, the reunion remains only a hope.
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