What Are The Brewers Arbitration Projections For 2023?

The majority of the Milwaukee Brewers active roster find themselves going through arbitration this winter. In total, 18 Brewers are arbitration-eligible this winter and there are only 26 active roster spots.

Payroll has been going up and up the last few years for the Brewers, yet the team hasn’t been getting much better on the whole. The reason for that is the sheer number of players the Brewers have that are arbitration eligible.

MLB Trade Rumors released their annual arbitration projections. Here’s what the Crew’s players are projected to earn next year with their 2022 salary in parentheses.

The Brewers have 18 players going through arbitration for the 2023 season. What are their projected salaries for next year?

Corbin Burnes – $11.4MM projected ($6.5MM in 2022)

Corbin Burnes followed up his 2021 Cy Young winning campaign with another stellar season, leading the league in strikeouts with 243, posting a 2.94 ERA in 202 IP, and a 0.96 WHIP while making all 33 starts.

That’s going to earn him another hefty bump, with a projected near-doubling of his salary up to $11.4MM. That’s a raise of nearly $5MM, and these are just projections so it could even be more than this.

It could also turn into a lot more money for Burnes if the Brewers decide to pursue a contract extension and sign him to one. His salary is only going to go up and up from here, and this projected salary is still a bargain.

Hunter Renfroe – $11.2MM projected ($7.65MM)

Hunter Renfroe had a good first season in Milwaukee. He performed about as expected, providing excellent defense in right field and supplying a lot of power from the right side of the plate. Renfroe slugged 29 homers and hit a solid .255, which was the best batting average among the Brewers regulars.

He’s earned yet another solid raise heading into his final year of arbitration eligibility. After the 2023 season, Renfroe will be a free agent.

With such a high salary, even though Renfroe has been productive and a quality player, perhaps he could be a trade candidate this winter.

Brandon Woodruff – $11MM projected ($6.8MM)

After a sluggish start, Brandon Woodruff bounced back and put together another spectacular season on the mound. Woodruff had a 3.05 ERA in 153.1 IP with 190 strikeouts.

Woodruff and Burnes are projected at similar salaries as the co-aces have both dominated the last few years, although Woodruff is entering his third year of arbitration and Burnes is going into his second. Woodruff is a Super Two player.

Again, the price for Woodruff could be higher than this, especially if the Brewers work out a contract extension with him.