Milwaukee GM Matt Arnold strongly defended himself against this speculation.
“No, I see it differently,” Arnold said on the second day of the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. “I think this is an investment by our ownership group in our franchise to do more. I think it fits with what we want to achieve, which is to be competitive in 2024.
“Possibly adding someone like a Jackson Chourio to our Opening Day roster [roster] And then to sign someone like Wade Miley, who is 37 years old, I think that’s a commitment [Brewers owner] Mark Attanasio and his family will ensure that the Brewers remain truly viable in Wisconsin for a long time to come.”
Chourio would follow other top prospects like outfielders Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer, infielder Brice Turang and reliever Abner Uribe, all of whom made their major league debuts last season as the Brewers en route to winning the NL Central. title were. It can be a difficult balance.
“It’s difficult, but it’s fun. It keeps us on our toes,” Arnold said. “We always have to keep one eye on the present and one on the future, but we don’t want to sacrifice too much in either direction. As far as we can put a good team on the field in 2024, we definitely want to do that. And as far as we can create added value in the future, we want to do that. I think that’s demonstrated by the steps we’ve taken this week.”
Here are three other takeaways from Tuesday’s conversation with the Brewers’ baseball boss:
Chourio isn’t the only prospect who has a path to Opening Day
The Brewers are open to the return of free agent first baseman Carlos Santana, who posted a .773 OPS and cemented his place among Gold Glove Award finalists after a midseason trade to Milwaukee. They also traded to the Yankees for Jake Bauers and value his power potential. But there’s another option to open at first or possibly third base: Tyler Black, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Brewers prospect.
“He can do a lot of things,” Arnold said. “His ability to play third, first and outfielder when needed, DH. He’s so athletic. He’s really talented and we’re really excited to have him wherever he ends up. … He’s a really good hitter. It’s fun to watch.”
Asked whether it was within the realm of possibility that Black would end up breaking up with the major league club, Arnold said: “I definitely think he’s in play, absolutely.”
One possibility that Arnold says is out of the question for first base: Christian Yelich. He will continue to take his offense in left field or as a designated hitter.
Arnold still says he expects to hold Burnes and Adames
When Arnold was asked early in the offseason about the potential of a Corbin Burnes transfer as the right-hander heads into his final year of free agency, he said, “I would expect him to be a Brewer here next year.”
Has this attitude changed two months later?
“No, I think that’s still our position,” Arnold said. “We are certainly getting a lot of traction [on Burnes]and this week is a popular week for those conversations, but we’re still really excited to have him with us.”
And shortstop Willy Adames, who finds himself in the same contract situation?
“Yes, very similar,” Arnold said. “We love what he brings to our team and are once again thrilled to have him.”
Aaron Ashby is a wild card
Monday’s deal to bring Miley back on a one-year contract with a mutual option is an important point for the Brewers, Arnold said, because “it really stabilizes our rotation.” We’re going to need a lot of innings this year and he’s certainly going to be in the mix .”
Innings will come from Burnes, which rules out a trade, along with Freddy Peralta, Miley, Colin Rea and Adrian Houser. But Arnold and manager Pat Murphy were both vague this week about what the Brewers expect from the talented 25-year-old left-hander Ashby, who got a five-year contract extension in July 2022 but had shoulder surgery before that year and missed the entire year Season.
“He feels really good. He comes back, throws, plays catch, practices,” Arnold said. “I think he’s on track to be part of our rotation, hopefully next year. That is the expectation. This guy is working hard to come back and he is definitely on the right track.
Does that mean he expects Ashby to be ready to play from early next year or sometime next year?
“It’s hard to say,” Arnold said. “You should be careful with things like this. When he’s ready, he’ll definitely be a part of our mix.”