After a trip to the 2025 National League Championship Series, expectations around Milwaukee were split. Some fans were hoping for a splashy offseason - the kind of winter that signals a full-throttle push to get back to the World Series for the first time since 1982. Others, more familiar with how the Brewers operate, expected a familiar playbook: calculated, cost-conscious moves designed to keep the window of contention cracked open for years to come.
As spring training nears, it’s clear the Brewers’ front office - led by back-to-back MLB Executive of the Year Matt Arnold - opted for a bit of both. And while the offseason hasn’t featured the kind of blockbuster signings that dominate headlines, it’s been far from passive.
Let’s not overlook the fact that Milwaukee handed out the largest single-season salary for a starting pitcher in franchise history when they extended a qualifying offer to Brandon Woodruff. That’s not a move you make if you’re simply coasting through the winter. It was a statement - one that signaled a commitment to keeping a key piece of the rotation in place, even as the team continues to walk the tightrope between present-day contention and future flexibility.
Beyond the Woodruff deal, the rest of the offseason has followed a more familiar rhythm. The Brewers capitalized on the rising stock of Isaac Collins and Nick Mears, flipping them to the Royals in exchange for left-hander Ángel Zerpa - a young, high-upside arm with electric stuff. It’s the kind of trade that fits Milwaukee’s M.O.: sell high, buy potential.
They also took a low-risk flyer on Akil Baddoo, signing the former top prospect to a split contract. Baddoo’s career has been a rollercoaster, but Milwaukee’s betting on their ability to unlock something - and if it doesn’t pan out, it’s not a move that breaks the bank or the roster.
Then came the biggest swing of the offseason: trading Freddy Peralta. It wasn’t the aggressive, win-now deal some fans were hoping for, but it was undeniably savvy.
With Peralta unlikely to be extended beyond 2026, the Brewers moved early and got serious value in return - two MLB-ready Top 100 prospects in Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams. That’s not just a trade for the future; it’s a move that could pay dividends sooner than people think.
Looking at the full picture, the Brewers once again executed an offseason that threads the needle between staying competitive now and building for what’s next. That approach might not win the offseason on talk radio or social media, but it’s hard to argue with the results. Milwaukee has won three straight NL Central titles, boasts the top-ranked farm system in baseball, and continues to do it all in the smallest TV market in the league.
That’s not lost on former GM and current MLB insider Jim Bowden, who handed the Brewers a B+ grade for their offseason. Considering how often small-market teams get dinged for not spending like the Dodgers or Mets, that’s a pretty strong vote of confidence from someone who knows the front office grind inside and out.
Of course, not every fan is going to see it that way. For those who wanted a payroll bump or a headline-grabbing trade that brought in an All-Star, a B+ might feel overly generous. But again, this is how the Brewers operate - and it’s hard to argue with their track record under Arnold.
Now, Bowden did note that Arnold might not be in line for a third straight Executive of the Year award, pointing to the big offseasons from Andrew Friedman (Dodgers) and David Stearns (Mets). But let’s be honest - when you’re working with a bottomless budget, the margin for error shrinks.
Arnold’s success comes from maximizing every dollar, every roster spot, every trade chip. And let’s not forget: last year’s award wasn’t won in the winter.
It was earned with midseason moves like acquiring Quinn Priester and Andrew Vaughn - deals that helped push the Brewers over the top.
So while Milwaukee didn’t go on a spending spree, the front office stayed true to its identity - making smart, forward-thinking moves that keep the team competitive without mortgaging the future. The frustration some fans feel about the lack of big spending is understandable, but that’s a league-wide issue, not a Brewers-specific one. Until there’s more financial parity in MLB, Milwaukee will continue to play the long game - and as Bowden’s grade reflects, they’re playing it well.