Brewers 2024 Winter Meetings: Full Details and Matt Arnold's checklist heading in

Last year, Milwaukee Brewers GM Matt Arnold was the talk of the Winter Meetings. He had just signed uber-prospect Jackson Chourio to a record-breaking eight year, $82 million contract extension prior to Chourio's own MLB debut. Getting that contract done helped kickstart Arnold's run to winning Executive of the Year in 2024.

This year, Arnold might not be the talk of the town, that's going to be Juan Soto. The Winter Meetings figure to be much more active this year than last year's, which was largely a dud outside of the Chourio signing. However, that doesn't mean there's not still plenty of work for Arnold to do.

The Brewers have needs to address, especially with Willy Adames soon to be signing elsewhere and he may even sign at the Winter Meetings. Thus far in the offseason, the Brewers have been quiet. They haven't signed any free agents to the 40 man roster, only completing a handful a minor league contracts with invites to spring training. They've made a couple of expected prospect additions to the 40 man, they non-tendered Hoby Milner, and haven't made a single trade.

Most of the market is likely waiting on Juan Soto to sign, as that will determine who has money left for the other big names on the market and then the trade market and free agency will really kick into high gear. Since Soto is likely to sign during or right before these Winter Meetings, that means Matt Arnold is going to have to be ready to get moving at a moment's notice.

Arnold doesn't like to see this week as "winning the offseason" or "winning the Winter Meetings", because ultimately everything is determined on the field.

Everything Brewers fans need to know about the Winter Meetings: Dates, Full Details

This year's annual Winter Meetings are taking place at the Hilton Anatole hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas. They're slated to be held Monday, December 9th through Thursday, December 12th.

Every team's manager and general manager will take a turn speaking to the assembled media, which will allow fans to gain further insight into what the team is looking for and thinking ahead of next season.

There are three big events on the schedule. First, on Sunday night at 6:30 PM CT, to kick off the Meetings, MLB will announce the results of the Hall of Fame Classic Era Committee ballot.

Then, the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery will take place the night of Tuesday the 10th at 4:30 PM CT. The Brewers are not eligible to win the lottery as they were a playoff team, but the 2025 Draft order will be determined and finalized. The Brewers are slated to have the 20th overall pick.

Finally, the Rule 5 Draft will take place Wednesday afternoon at 1 PM CT. The Brewers will have an opportunity to select a player from a different organization and add him to their 40 man roster if they so choose. They do not have to pick anyone and they are not expected to make a pick.

Big events like press conferences announcing new contracts can be added to the schedule at any time. While the big marquee events of the Winter Meetings may not provide much headline material for the Brewers, if Matt Arnold is able to accomplish these three things, he'll make himself one of the big winners and take some headlines.