As the calendar inches closer to 2026, the Milwaukee Brewers are sitting in a pretty enviable position when it comes to their 40-man roster. Most of the core that powered their record-setting 2025 campaign is back in the fold, giving fans plenty of reason for optimism heading into the new season. That includes Brandon Woodruff, whose return wasn’t exactly a lock earlier in the offseason, but now stands as one of the more reassuring developments for a team with postseason aspirations.
The Brewers didn’t just bring back familiar faces-they’ve also made a few under-the-radar additions that could pay dividends down the line. Pitching prospect Coleman Crow earned a spot on the 40-man roster and was shielded from the Rule 5 Draft, while outfielder Akil Baddoo joined on a split contract earlier this month. These moves may not dominate headlines, but they bolster an already deep roster that’s built to withstand the grind of a 162-game season.
Right now, Milwaukee has 39 players on its 40-man roster. That’s thanks to a recent trade with the Kansas City Royals that sent Isaac Collins and Nick Mears packing in exchange for left-hander Ángel Zerpa.
That extra spot gives the Brewers some flexibility-at least for now. Any future move that brings in multiple players who require 40-man protection would force the front office to make some tough decisions.
One move that seems likely in the near term? Adding a third catcher.
It’s a common roster structure across the league, and once that spot is filled, the Brewers will be maxed out at 40. From there, any external additions-whether via trade or free agency-would require a corresponding subtraction.
That could mean designating a player for assignment, trading someone for a prospect who doesn’t need 40-man protection, or moving a player for cash.
And that’s where things get complicated. The Brewers have built one of the deeper rosters in baseball.
That kind of depth is a luxury, but it also creates a logjam. If President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold wants to add two or more MLB-ready players before Opening Day, someone’s going to have to go.
And with no obvious weak links, even the potential cuts come with upside.
Let’s take a closer look at two Brewers who could find themselves on the roster bubble as the front office continues to shape the team for 2026.
1. OF Steward Berroa
Steward Berroa’s journey to Milwaukee wasn’t your typical midseason pickup. The Brewers acquired the switch-hitting outfielder from the Dodgers on July 9, 2025-ironically, while the two clubs were squaring off at American Family Field.
At the time, Milwaukee was dealing with a rash of injuries in the outfield. Blake Perkins and Garrett Mitchell were both sidelined, and Daz Cameron had just been DFA’d.
The Brewers needed depth, and Berroa fit the bill.
After the trade, Berroa reported to Triple-A Nashville, though not immediately-he was nursing an injury that delayed his debut until early August. Once healthy, he struggled to find his footing at the plate, hitting below the Mendoza Line for the Sounds. But when the Brewers needed a body in mid-August due to personal absences for Perkins and Collins, Berroa got the call.
His time in the majors was brief and quiet offensively-he went 0-for-5 with a walk in limited action-but he made an immediate impact with his glove, gunning down a runner at the plate from center field in his very first inning. That play was a reminder of what Berroa brings to the table: elite speed and strong defense.
The problem? The Brewers already have several players with that profile, making Berroa somewhat redundant on a crowded 40-man.
That said, Berroa’s not going quietly into the offseason. He’s been tearing it up in the Dominican Winter League with Águilas Cibaeñas, slashing .279/.398/.433 with three home runs and 17 stolen bases across 40 games.
That kind of production raises eyebrows, even if winter league success doesn’t guarantee a roster spot. Clearly, Milwaukee sees something in Berroa, and perhaps that potential is starting to show in a more consistent way.
Still, if the Brewers need to clear space for another addition, Berroa’s name is likely near the top of the list. His defensive tools are undeniable, but unless the bat catches up-and fast-he could be the odd man out.
2. RHP Easton McGee
On the pitching side, Easton McGee finds himself in a similar situation. The 6-foot-7 right-hander has intriguing tools and has shown flashes of potential, but he’s also sitting in the middle of one of the deepest pitching staffs in the league. That depth is a blessing for the Brewers but a challenge for McGee, who may find himself squeezed out if the team makes more moves this winter.
McGee’s calling card is his versatility-he throws six different pitches, three of which grade out above league average in terms of Stuff+. That kind of arsenal doesn’t grow on trees, and it suggests there’s more upside here than his limited big-league sample might indicate.
He had a solid showing at Triple-A Nashville in 2025, posting a 3.59 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 47.2 innings. But when he got the call to the majors, the results weren’t quite as encouraging.
His 5.52 ERA, paired with a 4.28 expected ERA, didn’t do him many favors, though it’s worth noting that one rough outing skewed those numbers. The stuff is there-it just hasn’t translated consistently against big-league hitters yet.
McGee’s fastball sits in the low 90s, and given his size, there’s a belief that he could add a little more velocity with some mechanical tweaks. If that happens, he could profile as a high-leverage reliever down the line. But potential alone doesn’t guarantee a roster spot, especially when the Brewers are flush with arms who’ve already proven they can get big outs at the highest level.
If Milwaukee needs to free up a spot, McGee could be vulnerable. He’s not the most likely candidate to be DFA’d-that distinction probably still belongs to Berroa-but he’s certainly on the bubble.
And if he is exposed to waivers, don’t be surprised if another team jumps at the chance to claim him. There’s too much raw potential here to ignore.
Bottom Line
The Brewers are in the enviable position of having to make tough choices because of too much talent-not too little. That’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem. As the front office continues to fine-tune the roster ahead of 2026, players like Steward Berroa and Easton McGee could find themselves on the outside looking in-not because they’ve failed to contribute, but because Milwaukee’s depth chart is just that deep.
Whether either player sticks around will likely depend on what moves come next. But one thing’s for sure: the Brewers aren’t taking any roster spot for granted. Every name on that 40-man has to earn it.