What Are The Brewers Arbitration Projections For 2023?

Brewers arbitration salary projections for 2023

Trevor Gott – $1.4MM ($725,000)

The Brewers signed Trevor Gott on the first day free agency opened last year. For much of the year, he made it clear why Milwaukee targeted him. However, he struggled towards the end of the year and did deal with some injuries.

Gott ended the year with a 4.14 ERA in 45.2 IP and likely proved himself worthy of coming back for another year in the Brewers bullpen. Especially at such a modest price tag, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him brought back.

Mike Brosseau – $1.2MM ($706,300)

Mike Brosseau filled a niche role on the Brewers in 2022, hitting mostly against lefties. He ended the year with a .255/.344/.418 slash line but had just 141 at-bats. He missed some time with an ankle injury but was mostly a bench bat for Milwaukee.

This is the first year of arbitration for Brosseau and he sees a modest raise. He’s never been much of an everyday player. His 141 ABs were just nine behind his career high of 150 ABs he had with Tampa Bay in 2021.

Still, when Brosseau does play, he does a pretty good job. With Jace Peterson hitting free agency this winter, the Brewers could turn to Brosseau as the regular super utility guy and that will turn into a lot more at bats for Brosseau.

Hoby Milner – $1.1MM ($705,100)

Hoby Milner has turned himself into a reliable reliever for the Brewers, even earning some high leverage spots. He finished with a 3.76 ERA in 64.2 IP with 64 strikeouts and just 15 walks.

Milner is a solid lefty reliever that gives hitters a completely different look with his sidearm arm slot. He’s finally entering arbitration for the first time in his career and will turn 32 years old before next season.

2022 was Milner’s first year as a regular in a big league bullpen. He was up and down with the Brewers in 2021, throwing 19.2 IP for them. Prior to his 64.2 IP this year, Milner’s big league career high was 31.1 IP with the Phillies his rookie year in 2017.

Luis Perdomo – $1MM ($700,000)

The Brewers signed Perdomo to a two-year minor league contract before the 2021 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery and they knew he would miss all of 2021, planning for him to be an option for them in 2022.

Perdomo continued to struggle with health in 2022 and was up and down between Milwaukee and Triple-A Nashville. He ended up pitching in just 14 games for the Brewers, covering just 23.2 IP with a 3.80 ERA.

He was mostly used in mop up duty and sometimes even struggled with that. While this projected price tag is modest, the decision on Perdomo’s return to Milwaukee next year will rely less on money and more on his performance this year and whether the Brewers see him as an option they want for their bullpen in 2023.

Jandel Gustave $900,000 projected ($700,000)

The Brewers put Jandel Gustave on the IL at the beginning of August with forearm discomfort and there wasn’t much for updates after that. While it could be a serious injury, or it could just be somewhat minor, the Brewers didn’t seem to be in a hurry to bring him back.

In 27 appearances this year, Gustave had a 3.86 ERA. He wasn’t bad, but he’s someone that’s barely hanging on to his roster spot and the Brewers may simply cut bait, regardless of what his price tag may be.

However, because his projected salary is so low, the Brewers might be willing to bring him back and see what happens. They can always cut bait with him later if he struggles. But if his injury is more serious than we’re currently aware, it would make more sense to let him go.

If the Brewers bring back all of these players at their projected salaries, it would represent a $34.5MM increase in payroll heading into 2023. In all likelihood, not all of these players will be back, and they’ll come to terms on salaries with some that’ll be higher than projected and some that’ll be lower. But the majority of this roster is arbitration eligible, and payroll is getting tighter. Tough decisions will have to be made once again.