The Milwaukee Brewers just made a bold financial move that’s flipped their entire offseason script. Right-hander Brandon Woodruff accepted a $22 million qualifying offer, and suddenly Milwaukee’s projected 2025 payroll has ballooned to a franchise-record level.
The front office now faces a tricky balancing act—trying to contend on the field while staying within ownership’s comfort zone. It’s not an easy spot for a small-market team.
Brandon Woodruff’s $22 Million Gamble Reshapes Brewers’ Payroll
Woodruff’s decision changed the tone of the Brewers’ winter overnight. His $22 million salary pushes Milwaukee’s projected 2025 payroll to about $136 million.
For a club that finished 2025 with a payroll around $123 million, that’s a massive jump. And for a franchise that usually runs lean, $136 million isn’t just a number—it’s a stress test that could force tough choices elsewhere on the roster.
Why Woodruff’s Deal Matters So Much
Woodruff now joins Christian Yelich as the only Brewers to clear $20 million in a single season. Yelich’s contract, which runs through 2029, already looms large over the team’s long-term plans.
Locking in Woodruff for one year gives Milwaukee a legit top-of-the-rotation arm. But it also squeezes the budget, and in a market like this, every eight-figure salary has a ripple effect from the bullpen to the bench.
Freddy Peralta Trade Talk: Smoke Without Fire?
After Woodruff’s move, speculation immediately turned to Freddy Peralta, the energetic righty who’s become the staff ace. On paper, trading Peralta could help cut costs.
But it’s not that simple. Peralta enters his last year of team control at a modest $8 million salary—an absolute bargain for a pitcher this good.
Why a Peralta Trade Doesn’t Add Up
Ownership has reportedly shut down any talk of trading Peralta, and honestly, it makes sense:
Sure, trading Peralta could bring back prospects, but it wouldn’t really solve the payroll spike from Woodruff. He’s just not the issue, financially speaking.
Other Paths: Reworking Woodruff or Moving Megill?
If Peralta stays put, the Brewers need other options. That means looking at Woodruff’s contract and maybe the bullpen, too.
Restructuring Woodruff’s deal into a multi-year contract could help. That would mean less pain now in exchange for more flexibility down the line.
Stretching the Money, Soothing the Cap
A multi-year agreement could:
Another option? Trading All-Star closer Trevor Megill, who’s projected to make about $6.5 million. That would free up some payroll, but it comes at a cost.
Megill anchors a bullpen that’s been Milwaukee’s backbone for years. Moving him would:
Yelich, History, and the Reality of a Small-Market Contender
Add in the Christian Yelich contract, and the picture gets even messier. Yelich is locked in through 2029, and that big deal limits how far the Brewers can stretch elsewhere.
Milwaukee’s been here before. In recent years, the front office has moved big names like Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams when budgets got tight.
The franchise has a knack for staying competitive while shuffling expensive pieces. It’s a tough needle to thread, but that’s been the identity for a while now.
Fan Backlash vs. Front Office Pragmatism
After a strong NLCS run, things get even trickier. Fans expect the team to push forward, not pull back for budget reasons.
Still, early signs suggest management will try to trim around the edges of the roster again—even if it means some short-term backlash. For Milwaukee, being smart with money is just part of the DNA at this point.
Brewers vs. Cubs: Two Markets, Two Payroll Philosophies
While the Brewers wrestle with record spending, the Chicago Cubs offer a wild contrast. Even with big-market resources, they’ve shown real restraint under president of baseball ops Jed Hoyer.
Milwaukee’s bumping up against its franchise ceiling, but the Cubs are operating well below what their market could handle. Makes you wonder—are either club’s fans truly satisfied with the approach?
A Central Division Defined by Dollars
As the offseason unfolds, payroll decisions will define the narrative for both clubs:
Here is the source article for this story: A new Brewers payroll rumor will be music to annoyed Cubs fans’ ears
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