Recapping and Grading the Brewers 2019-2020 Offseason Moves

The Milwaukee Brewers had an interesting offseason to say the least. Let’s look back on the Crew’s moves this winter to get this roster ready for the 2020 season.

With Brewers spring training games starting tomorrow(!), the offseason will have officially been completed. The last time we saw the Brewers on the field was October 1st, 2019 in the Wild Card game. It’s been 143 days since that game, and a lot has happened in that time.

Let’s look back on this offseason, and get a final grade on the moves GM David Stearns made during the winter.

Free Agent Losses

Drew Pomeranz, Mike Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal, Jordan Lyles, Gio Gonzalez, Eric Thames, Travis Shaw, Junior Guerra, Jimmy Nelson, Hernan Perez

The first free agent loss was Yasmani Grandal on November 21st. Grandal signed with the Chicago White Sox on a four year, $73MM contract. The Brewers wanted him back, but weren’t able to compete with the four year offer the White Sox put up.

The next loss was Drew Pomeranz a few days later on November 27th, also on a four year contract, but with the San Diego Padres. Pomeranz was dominant in the second half with the Brewers, and turned that into $34MM guaranteed in that deal with San Diego.

Mike Moustakas was the third member of the 2019 Brewers to sign a four year contract in free agency, signing a $64MM contract with the division rival Reds on December 2nd. This one might’ve stung the most for fans. Moose was in Milwaukee the longest of the three, and left for a division rival.

A few days after Moustakas, Jordan Lyles signed a two year, $16MM deal with the Texas Rangers on December 6th. After struggling in the rotation in Pittsburgh, Lyles dominated in the second half as a starter and turned it into a solid payday. Gio Gonzalez also left the Brewers, signing a one year, $5MM deal with the White Sox on December 19th.

Eric Thames had his contract option declined and signed with the Washington Nationals on a one year, $4MM deal on January 8th. The Brewers non-tendered Travis Shaw, Junior Guerra, and Jimmy Nelson on December 2nd, and those three signed with the Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers respectively.

Longtime utilityman Hernan Perez was outrighted shortly after the season ended and signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on December 17th.

A lot of familiar names left the Brewers roster this offseason, and the high level of turnover is unusual for a team coming off back-to-back postseason appearances.

That meant David Stearns had to get a lot of guys to fill the roster spots left behind.