Brewers: 3 FA Signings that Would Show Commitment To Winning

Contracts are currently a big deal in Wisconsin. Despite a crazy year in 2020, as Wisconsin sports fans, we’ve gotten lucky with elite level players committing to stay with their respective teams.

The most recent big time signing was on December 15th, 2020 when Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a monster five-year supermax extension. Earlier in the NFL season, David Bakhtiari committed to four more seasons with the Packers. Last but certainly not least, early in March Christian Yelich put a pen to the paper to remain with the Milwaukee Brewers for the next nine seasons!

A theme throughout these signings, in particular with the signing of Antetokounmpo and Bakhtiari, is that the owners showed that they are committed to continue to win. With the Brewers and extending Yelich, these feelings were not quite as strong, despite the signing.

Leading up to Christian Yelich‘s signing, the Brewers issued a plethora of one year deals with club options in year two to multiple low-risk players. Of those signed, Justin Smoak likely had the highest ceiling, but players like Brock Holt, Eric Sogard, and Jedd Gyorko did not scream “win-now” moves.

This decrease in talent was quite disappointing, since just one offseason prior the Brewers signed Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas to one year deals. After coming up just one game short of reaching the World Series in 2018, these signings gave many fans the prospective that 2019 was our year to finally reach baseball’s biggest stage for the first time since 1982.

Unfortunately, the Brewers came up short and were bounced out in the one game Wild card game in which they lost to the eventual World Series Champion Washington Nationals. As mentioned, the 2020 offseason was rather uninspiring from an acquiring top end talent standpoint, but they were able to get a long term commitment from Christian Yelich.

Brewers Need To Surround Yelich With Talent

Now that Yelich is locked up long term, could the Milwaukee Brewers again look to make bigger splashes in free agency and show their commitment to winning again? Finances remain one of the biggest obstacles in this becoming a reality.

While no owners across MLB made money in 2020 due to the pandemic, it could be beneficial to have excitement surrounding the team as we prepare for the potential of fans returning to the stands in 2021.

This excitement could help fill the ballpark earlier and more often next baseball season, but in order to do that the Brewers need to make some splash moves that show their commitment to winning next season.  Let’s take a look at three free agent signings that could do this.