3 free agents who would be perfect additions to the Brewers' 2026 roster

With a solid core of young but established players, emerging prospects, and dependable veterans, and a clear path to contention, the Milwaukee Brewers enter this offseason with a prime opportunity to make a few targeted additions.

While they won’t shop at the very top of the free-agent market, there are several impactful, realistic options who fit the club’s budget and roster needs. Here are three free agents who would be perfect additions to the Brewers this offseason.

Three free agents who would be perfect additions to the Milwaukee Brewers' roster this offseason

1) RHP Tyler Mahle

Originally a Cincinnati Red, and more recently a Minnesota Twin and Texas Ranger, Tyler Mahle could be an ideal match for the Brewers this offseason. The 31-year-old veteran missed most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons following Tommy John surgery and spent additional time on the shelf in 2025 with shoulder fatigue, making him a strong candidate for a one-year, prove-it deal.

Across 16 starts last year, Mahle posted a 2.16 ERA. His pitching profile differs from the typical Brewers mold, as he relies heavily on a four-seam/split-change mix to induce weak, often airborne contact. Bringing him to Milwaukee, where the club has a history of adding a veteran starter like Wade Miley or José Quintana, and taking a cautious approach with such players’ workloads, could be exactly what he needs to set himself up for a larger payday next winter, while giving the Brewers a dependable presence in their rotation for the 2026 season.

2) 1B Lewin Díaz

Last November, backup first baseman Jake Bauers was non-tendered by the Brewers but later re-signed on a minor-league deal. He went on to spend the vast majority of the 2025 season on the 40-man roster, caught fire late in the year, and even started in the outfield against the Dodgers in the NLCS, thanks to yet another clutch postseason home run during the NLDS.

Despite this, Bauers’ time in Milwaukee has always felt like it was skating on thin ice, with timely hot streaks seemingly keeping him around time and time again. This offseason, the Brewers could again non-tender him and look to replace him with free agent Lewin Díaz, who just posted a monster season in the KBO with 50 home runs and 158 RBI. Díaz would provide valuable insurance in case Andrew Vaughn struggles, especially with top first-base prospects like Andrew Fisher, Blake Burke, and Luke Adams not yet ready for the big leagues.

3) C Danny Jansen

Last July, the Brewers made a somewhat surprising move by acquiring Appleton, Wisconsin native Danny Jansen and keeping him as their backup catcher over Eric Haase. While Jansen has historically offered more offensive upside, Haase had shown occasional flashes at the plate during his two years in Milwaukee, despite limited opportunities caused by William Contreras being an iron man behind the dish.

At season’s end, Jansen became a free agent after he and the Brewers declined to exercise a mutual option. However, a reunion could still be in play, as adding a third catcher to the 40-man roster will be a priority for Milwaukee. Jeferson Quero is the other catcher on the roster, but he has little chance of earning meaningful playing time as long as Contreras is on the team. Bringing back a veteran would allow Quero to continue getting regular at-bats in the minors while giving the Brewers reliable depth behind the plate.