3 positions the Brewers need to address over the 2025-26 offseason

For the second consecutive season, a Milwaukee Brewers team led by Pat Murphy exceeded expectations and won the National League Central division. This year, they also set a franchise record 14-game win streak, and won the most regular-season games in a single season in franchise history with 97. They also won a playoff series, doing so for the first time since 2018, but came up empty during the League Championship Series, failing to win a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite their continued success, the Brewers enter the 2025–26 offseason with a few areas in need of improvement. Here’s a look at three positions that could benefit from upgrades heading into next year.

3 positions the Milwaukee Brewers need to address over the 2025-26 offseason

1) Shortstop

In 2025, the Brewers got hardly any offensive production out of the shortstop position, with Joey Ortiz getting the bulk of the opportunities and Andruw Monasterio backing him up. Milwaukee shortstops had just a 76 wRC+ last season, which ranked fifth worst in all of baseball. Excellent defense kept Ortiz in the lineup last year, but a change could be coming in 2026.

Aside from an external addition, one way Milwaukee could upgrade in 2026 is by shifting Brice Turang over to shortstop, which before an injury late last spring training, appeared to be the direction Murphy was leaning. Internally, prospects like Jesús Made, Luis Peña, and Cooper Pratt are all more than a season away from being ready. Moving Turang over would give the Brewers a premier defender at the position and a shortstop with sneaky pop in his bat, as he finished with 18 home runs a season ago. Such a move would open up the second base free agent market for Matt Arnold and company, which is deeper than the shortstop market this offseason.

2) Outfield

With Garrett Mitchell’s ongoing injury troubles and Jackson Chourio dealing with a hamstring issue in August and the playoffs, the Brewers found themselves cycling through center fielders, most notably Blake Perkins, Brandon Lockridge, and Sal Frelick, all of whom made postseason starts. While defense-first players like Perkins and Lockridge provide stability, it’s clear Milwaukee could use an additional option in the outfield who brings more power to the plate. Frelick and Chourio, both of whom can cover a corner spot or center field, are locked into two of the three starting jobs next year, but the Brewers could add an impact bat to join them in the outfield.

With no MLB-ready prospects who fit that profile, Milwaukee may need to look outside the organization to upgrade in the outfield. If Freddy Peralta is traded, the Brewers could aim to land an impact player as part of the return package. Otherwise, GM Matt Arnold has shown a knack for uncovering hidden talent, and may once again find the right fit from an unexpected place.

3) Starting Pitcher

Regardless of what happens with Peralta, the Brewers are also expected to decline options on Brandon Woodruff ($20 million) and Jose Quintana ($15 million), thus leaving them with a large group of starting pitchers with very little MLB experience.  In order to make the projected 2026 rotation group of Quinn Priester, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Robert Gasser, Tobias Myers, Logan Henderson, and Carlos Rodriguez successful, the Brewers will need a veteran presence.

Having a veteran arm to guide this young pitching staff is an essential role, one that Quintana and Wade Miley have filled in recent seasons. With injuries always a possibility, adding more depth would also bring valuable stability. Whether that means potentially re-signing Jordan Montgomery on a team-friendly deal or pursuing another experienced starter, the Brewers would be wise to make at least one move.

In the end, it's unlikely the Brewers will make flashy, headline-grabbing moves this offseason, but moves are coming nonetheless. Whether it’s adding veteran depth, finding undervalued talent, or making a strategic trade, expect the Brewers to quietly retool once again, while keeping themselves competitive in 2026 and beyond.