The Chicago Cubs made a significant move just before Opening Day, securing Pete Crow-Armstrong with a six-year extension that ensures he'll be a central figure in Chicago during his prime years.
The Milwaukee Brewers, with their own pool of young talent, might want to consider a similar strategy. Their last major pre-arbitration extension was with Jackson Chourio, who signed an eight-year deal before even stepping onto an MLB field.
That decision has proven wise, potentially encouraging the Brewers' front office to make similar commitments. We'll focus on pre-arbitration players, so while William Contreras and Brice Turang are key figures, this conversation centers on the Brewers' youngest stars.
2 Brewers Who Should Be Extended Before Arbitration
Sal Frelick
Frelick shares many qualities with Crow-Armstrong. Both are in their mid-20s, have four years of control left before any extension, and excel as elite defensive outfielders and top-tier baserunners.
They’re also left-handed hitters, but their offensive styles differ. Frelick is known for his contact and on-base skills, while Crow-Armstrong leans towards power hitting.
These similarities suggest Frelick could be in line for an extension, even if it doesn't reach nine figures.
The Cubs' decision to extend Crow-Armstrong was partly due to their lack of long-term outfield talent. With Owen Caissie traded and Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ nearing free agency, keeping PCA was both a necessity and a financial strategy.
The Brewers, however, boast a deeper outfield pool with Chourio, Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins, and promising prospects like Luis Lara. Supply isn’t a concern for Milwaukee, but if they want to see Frelick and Chourio sharing the outfield for years to come, now is the time to act.
Once Frelick reaches arbitration, securing multiple free-agent years could become challenging.
Jacob Misiorowski
Jacob Misiorowski, known as "The Miz," is set to start on Opening Day and is one of the most electrifying young pitchers in the game. His triple-digit fastball results in impressive strikeout numbers, and with further development, he could be in the running for a Cy Young Award in the near future. Such achievements would only increase his market value, making a strong case for the Brewers to secure him now.
Misiorowski has six years of team control, with three pre-arbitration seasons ahead. If he remains healthy, his free-agent years will be highly valuable, although he won't hit free agency until age 30.
Traditionally, the Brewers have opted to trade homegrown aces during their prime. However, if they decide to retain a star pitcher beyond arbitration, Misiorowski would be an ideal candidate to break that mold.