The Brewers may be heading into an offseason that looks less like a victory lap and more like a balancing act.
That’s the reality when a team keeps churning out talent. Milwaukee has enough players pushing upward that it may need to start deciding which pieces fit the next version of the roster - and which ones could be moved now for a stronger return later. The idea is simple enough: plan ahead, don’t scramble in the middle of the winter, and try to turn depth into value before the market decides for you.
A few names stand out as possible trade candidates.
Grant Anderson fits the profile of a movable bullpen arm. He’s been a steady part of the Brewers’ relief group since arriving in the 2024-2025 offseason, but his role has already shown some instability.
He was sent to Triple-A Nashville when Kyle Harrison came back from the injured list, then returned after Abner Uribe went on the shelf this weekend. In the bigger picture, Anderson might wind up being more useful to Milwaukee as trade currency than as a long-term bullpen fixture.
That’s not because he’s been bad. It’s because middle relievers usually don’t bring back huge hauls, and the Brewers may be better off cashing in while they can.
Anderson is currently behind Trevor Megill, Uribe, Chad Patrick, and Aaron Ashby in the bullpen hierarchy, though he’d probably be a stronger option than plenty of relievers around the league. If Milwaukee is leaning more toward multi-inning bullpen work, especially with so many potential starters in the system, Anderson becomes the kind of arm a team can replace.
Any real return would help keep the pipeline moving.
Aaron Ashby is a trickier call, because the Brewers have already gotten real value out of him. He’s been a multi-inning weapon and leads the National League in wins.
The issue is what comes next. If both club options are picked up, Ashby’s deal jumps to $29.5 million over the next three seasons, and that’s a lot to commit to a reliever - even one who’s been as effective as he has.
The Brewers have shown before that they’re willing to make a hard call on a valuable pitcher. Josh Hader was moved when he was making $11 million in 2022.
Ashby may not be Hader, but the math still points in the same direction. Milwaukee isn’t operating with the kind of payroll cushion the Dodgers or Yankees enjoy, and Ashby’s value could be even greater to a team with more financial room.
Unless the Brewers think he can still be turned back into a starter, he looks like a player who could bring back a high-end prospect.
Joey Ortiz is another name worth watching. After a rough season and a half as the club’s regular shortstop, he has bounced back at the plate.
Since the All-Star break, he’s hitting .340/.416/.660 in 58 plate appearances. That’s a nice run for both him and the Brewers, especially with the infield taking a beating from injuries lately.
Still, a hot stretch doesn’t automatically lock him into the future. Shortstops, third basemen, and utility types are always in demand, and Ortiz could draw real interest if Milwaukee decides the market is right. With Andrew Fischer and Luke Adams moving closer, this winter may be the best window to turn Ortiz into something else.
Garrett Mitchell belongs in the same conversation. When he’s healthy, he’s been a strong player, and this season he’s actually stayed on the field for once.
The production has held up better than many expected. But the outfield picture around him keeps getting tighter.
Luis Lara, a natural center fielder, signed a team-friendly extension this season and is filling in for the injured Sal Frelick in right field. Jackson Chourio already has a historic extension and is holding down left field.
Beyond that, the Brewers may also be looking at Josh Adamczewski, Luis Pena, and Braylon Payne as long-term outfield options. Mitchell’s salary is headed up through arbitration, so he could become available if Milwaukee decides the best move is to deal from strength.
Andrew Vaughn is another possible trade piece, even with the way he has rebounded in Milwaukee. The Brewers have roster movement coming, with Jake Bauers set to hit free agency after 2026. That could create room for Blake Burke, Fischer, and/or Adams, and Vaughn may be the piece that clears the path.
Milwaukee has also tried Vaughn at third base for a few games, which could help his trade case if he shows he can handle the spot. But his arbitration salary is headed toward eight figures this winter, and the Brewers may prefer to let another team take on that cost while they keep stocking the minors with power bats.
It’s not exactly a one-for-one baseball lesson, but the logic resembles what happens in world football. Smaller clubs that overachieve still have to navigate transfer windows by selling some pieces, opening money for depth, and betting on younger players. Milwaukee may need to work the same way this winter if it wants to keep the current run going into 2027 and beyond.
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What the Brewers have seen is a player whose offense still comes with familiar tradeoffs. Mitchell strikes out a lot, does not bring much power, and yet keeps finding ways to hold his own because of the amount of hard contact he produces. Even so, his place in the clubs postseason picture is far from settled, with outfield competition tightening at exactly the moment the Brewers would prefer to have their answers already in hand. [Read more 🡒]