Brewers 2024-25 offseason primer: Free agents, arbitration, key dates and deadlines

Brewers 2024-25 Free Agents

• Willy Adames
• Joe Ross

The Brewers only have two true free agents this winter, but one of them is a major contributor. Willy Adames is going to enter free agency for the first time in his career and test the open market. Milwaukee has not been shy about their love for Adames and wanting him to stay, but also have been cognizant of the kind of money he's likely to seek and how it's out of their price range.

Adames is highly likely to be the first player to receive a Qualifying Offer from the Brewers. The QO carries a $21.05 million salary and would be a one year deal to bring Adames back to Milwaukee if he accepts. However, Adames is also highly likely to reject the QO and seek a long-term deal on the open market. He's 29 years old, coming off a career year, and is the only starting caliber shortstop on the market.

Joe Ross also hits free agency coming off a solid year. He missed the last few years due to injury, but turned in a 3.77 ERA in 25 appearances with 10 starts covering 74 IP. There's a non-zero chance the Brewers could look to bring Ross back as a depth piece for the rotation or a long reliever out of the bullpen, a role in which he thrived in this year.

Brewers mutual contract options

• Wade Miley
• Gary Sanchez
• Frankie Montas

The Brewers have three mutual options this year, all of which are likely to be declined. Rarely do mutual options get exercised by both sides.

Miley has a $12 million option that will be declined as he's still recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent early on this past season. He's attempting to come back from TJS for his age 38 season, and maybe the Brewers give him that chance, but they won't do it at that price point. Miley has a $1 million buyout on that option.

Gary Sanchez has a mutual option that's also going to be declined. His numbers weren't great this year and the Brewers have Eric Haase they could roll with as their backup to William Contreras in 2025. His buyout is $3 million.

Frankie Montas' mutual option carries a $20 million salary for 2025, an option the Brewers will surely decline. Montas was solid since coming over at the Trade Deadline but that's not a price they'll be willing to pay for him. Montas' opt out is $2 million.