Brewers: 3 Qualifying Offer Free Agents Milwaukee Should Pursue

When Qualifying Offers are given out, it’s typically to the best upcoming free agents. After all, not many players are worth $18.4MM a season. As a team looking to get better and win the World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers could show interest in several of these players.

There were 14 players that received the Qualifying Offer this offseason, and the Brewers’ own Avisail Garcia was not one of them. The 14 players are: Freddie Freeman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nick Castellanos, Trevor Story, Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander, Raisel Iglesias, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Michael Conforto, Noah Syndergaard, Brandon Belt, Robbie Ray, and Marcus Semien.

A few of these players should intrigue Milwaukee, and despite the potential forfeiture of a draft pick, David Stearns should pursue them. The Brewers have signed three players who rejected a QO before: Kyle Lohse, Lorenzo Cain, and Yasmani Grandal. They lost draft picks each time, but that didn’t faze Stearns, who also gave up early picks in trades in 2019 and 2020.

Could the Brewers sign a QO free agent for the 4th time in their history? If they do, it’ll likely be one of these three players.

Brewers Qualifying Offer Free Agent Target #1: Brandon Belt

Few opposing players hurt the Brewers more in their games against Milwaukee during the regular season than Brandon Belt.

In just seven games this year, Belt hit .320/.414/.960/.1.374 with 5 home runs. The only team he hit more homers against was the Rockies with 7 and they’re in his division, he played 17 games against them.

He’s a standout first baseman, and had a phenomenal year in 2021, finishing the season hitting .274 with a .975 OPS, 160 OPS+, and 29 homers.

Given the Brewers lack of production at first base this season and the revolving door that has been there for the past decade, signing the 33 year old Belt for a few years should finally settle that position down.

Age may be a bit of a concern, especially if Belt wants a long-term deal, which he’s likely going to. But, as a first baseman, he relies less on athleticism and moving around, so as long as the Brewers feel comfortable that the bat speed will remain and he’ll continue to hit, that’s all they need.

Signing Belt would push Keston Hiura to a different position, but if the Designated Hitter comes to the NL in the upcoming CBA, then there can be room for both Belt and Hiura on the roster.

After seeing Belt torch their pitching staff this season, it would behoove Milwaukee to try to get him on their side. The fewer hitters on other teams that can light up this pitching staff, the better.

Brewers Qualifying Offer Free Agent Target #2: Chris Taylor

What do the Milwaukee Brewers love most when it comes to position players? That’s right, versatility.

Who is the most versatile free agent position player among this group? That would be one Chris Taylor.

Just this past year, Taylor played all three outfield positions as well as second base, shortstop, and third base. On top of that, he hit .254 with 20 homers, 13 stolen bases, and a 110 OPS+ this year while earning an All Star nod. Craig Counsell would LOVE to have a player like Taylor at his disposal.

Given the current construction of the Brewers roster, the most likely spot Taylor would fit would be right field, the position vacated by Avisail Garcia. All his other positions have players entrenched at them already, but Taylor could certainly fill in if any of them got hurt or needed a day off.

The 31 year old Taylor has been a valuable member of the Dodgers the past several seasons. He brings a combination of power, on-base ability, and defensive versatility. Plus, he’s had some clutch moments for LA over the years, including this postseason.

Since Taylor is on the wrong side of 30 and doesn’t really have a singular, everyday position, that could hinder his contract expectations this winter. He may not be able to beat the $18.4MM salary on an Average Annual Value basis, but in a multi-year deal, he’ll certainly earn plenty and get some long-term security.

With Milwaukee, Taylor could move around, but have a mostly regular home in right field, at least for right now. That could change in future years.

We’ll see if Taylor accepts or rejects the QO from Los Angeles, the organization that turned him into an All Star, but if he’s on the market, he’s the type of guy the Brewers are likely to pursue.