The Brewers have never been shy about spending when the right player comes along, even with a payroll that usually sits below the league’s heavy hitters. But one midseason addition has put them in position for what looks like an easy call down the road.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan listed Antonio Senzatela among players whose 2027 team option is unlikely to be exercised. For Milwaukee, that option would come at a $14 million price tag, and there’s no buyout attached.
"Unlikely to be picked up... Antonio Senzatela, Brewers, $14 million (no buyout)," Passan writes.
That kind of money makes the decision pretty straightforward, especially given how Senzatela has performed since joining the Brewers at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old right-hander arrived after a stretch with the Rockies that had already been uneven over the course of his career.
Most of Senzatela’s work in Colorado came as a starter, and he posted a 5.09 ERA in 212 games there. This season, after moving to the bullpen, he was far better, finishing with a 3.61 ERA in 34 outings for the Rockies.
That run was enough to get Milwaukee to make the move, but the early returns with the Brewers have gone the other way. In 16 appearances so far, Senzatela has a 5.87 ERA.
So when the front office gets to the 2027 option decision, the answer appears obvious. The Brewers are unlikely to bring him back at that number, and they do not have to weigh a buyout either. It would be a surprise if Milwaukee picked up the $14 million option.
In Other News...
Brewers Bullpen Help May Arrive Right When October Pressure Peaks
The Brewers push toward October is getting a timely bullpen boost. As Milwaukee sits in strong position in the 2026 regular season standings and starts turning its attention to the postseason, the club is expecting Grant Anderson, Bryse Wilson and Rob Zastryzny back from injuries before the end of September, a development that should add some needed depth to a relief group that will matter even more once the games get tighter.
For a team chasing home-field advantage, the timing could be ideal. Extra arms at the end of the month would give the Brewers more flexibility in how they manage workloads down the stretch, and it could also make the final postseason roster decisions more interesting once the club has to decide which relievers are best suited for October pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Murphy Keeps Showing Why Brewers Fans Believe In This Team
Pat Murphy has spent nearly two years proving that the Brewers can be more than a small-market club trying to outmaneuver bigger budgets. Since taking over as manager in November 2023 after years as the bench coach, he has helped shape a team culture built on accountability and effort, and Milwaukee has responded with the kind of consistent energy and player growth that keeps the club hanging around when others might drift. The results have shown up in winning streaks and in the way players continue to develop under his watch, a reflection of a manager who has made the room feel organized and purposeful.
What stands out in 2026 is how hands-on Murphy still is, not just in lineup cards and bullpen moves but in the everyday conversations that can change a games tenor. His pep talk to Luis Lara before a crucial at-bat offered another snapshot of a manager who stays connected to his players in the moment, which is part of why Brewers fans have reason to trust the direction of this team. The larger question, as always, is how far that mix of culture, coaching and in-game feel can carry Milwaukee once the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Sproat's Brewers Audition Just Raised A Tough October Question
Brandon Sproats latest look in the majors was the kind that reminded everyone why the Brewers are intrigued by him and why they are still waiting for him to put it together. In a relief outing that nearly put a win in danger, he walked four batters and hit one, a rough follow-up to a return that was supposed to help him make a late push. The raw stuff is obvious, especially the strikeout ability that keeps him on the radar, but so is the ongoing problem that has shadowed him all season: too many shaky moments when the strike zone starts to drift away.
For Milwaukee, the question is less about whether Sproat has arm talent and more about whether there is enough time for him to trust his process and show the composure the staff keeps emphasizing. A likely trip back to Triple-A Nashville appears to be next, and that only sharpens the October conversation around him. The Brewers see the upside, but they also know a postseason role will require more than flashes. It will require cleaner command, steadier poise and a version of Sproat that can survive the pressure that comes with meaningful innings. [Read more 🡒]