Set to Miss 2024 Due to Injury, Milwaukee Brewers Release 2X All-Star Brandon Woodruff in Unexpected Move

With the non-tender deadline today (Friday) many teams are sharing non-traded list surprises. And, the big news on Milwaukee Brewers is out. The word is that it is strange to see this name particularly non-tendered. More so because he has been one of the best pitchers in franchise history albeit his surgery. But the Brewers have done it anyway. 

It is no secret that right-hander Brandon Woodruff of Milwaukee had surgery in mid-October to replace his injured anterior capsule. That rang an alarm in the leadership of Milwaukee. Reports were out that, it is anticipated that he will miss the majority of the upcoming season, if not all of it. But sure, they had to make the tough call even though Woodruff has been a “valued member of our organization..“

What’s Next For The Milwaukee Brewers?

Sources including @BNightengale say that, “Milwaukee Brewers non-tender starter Brandon Woodruff”. With that, the 30-year-old enters an extremely blurry 2024. @JeffPassan tweeted that, 2X All-Star will be a free agent, not to mention again his shoulder surgery. He could likely miss the entirety of the next season. The ace “was scheduled to make around $11 million in arbitration. He will be a free agent”. With that one it’s important to look at the rationale behind this move. 

Because of his injury and the fact he was only going to be under team control for one more year, the Brewers deeply contemplated the decision. The franchise had to pick one of these four options – trade Woodruff, sign him to a multi-year contract, tender a one-year offer with the understanding that he might not pitch at all the following season, or simply not tender him. Weighing the pros and cons of the situation, the team went with the fourth, pushing him to free agency.

The president of baseball operations Matt Arnold, of the Brewers expressed appreciatively, “He’s been awesome for us in so many ways,“. He further added with a heavy heart, “I still think there’s a chance he could be part of our team in the future, but yeah, it’s certainly a tough day anytime you have to deliver news to somebody that means that much to you and your franchise“. Clearly, when it comes to measuring what’s lucrative, hard choices have to be made.

Milwaukee Brewers at a Crucial Juncture in the Off-Season

Speaking of hard choices, this off-season, a critical question for the Brewers surrounds the futures of Corbin Burnes and fellow 2024 free agent Willy Adames. The only reliable starting pitcher in Milwaukee with a contract or team control through 2024 is Freddy Peralta. Following the upcoming season, Burnes, along with Eric Lauer and Adrian Houser will all be free agents. So the team is at a crucial juncture with respect to planning a long-term roster.

Read More : ‘Yes for Brewers & No for Ryder Cup’: Paige Spiranac’s Lady Luck Blessed the MLB Giants Leaving American Golfers High and Dry!

The 2023 season witnessed the Brewers finish 92-70 and win the NL Central. Yet, in the Wild Card Series, they were swept in two games by the World Series finalists Arizona Diamondbacks. Though the past season showed promise, the team wishes to make a comeback with a more solid 2024. And their actions show that they are revving up!

Watch This Story :  Yankees’ Free Agent Lineup: 6 Players To Watch For The 2024 MLB Season