Brewers’ controversial trade for Joey Ortiz is looking smarter each passing day

After nearly a month of speculation, the Milwaukee Brewers have finally answered one of their biggest offseason questions: Who will replace Willy Adames at shortstop? Manager Pat Murphy delivered the verdict—Joey Ortiz will slide over from third base to take the reins, while his “competition,” Gold Glove-winner Brice Turang will remain locked in at second base.

Let’s be honest: Ortiz has some massive shoes to fill. Adames wasn’t just the heart of the Brewers’ infield—he was a key offensive contributor, finishing the 2024 season with down-ballot MVP votes to his name. But if there’s one thing Milwaukee’s front office, led by GM Matt Arnold, has done exceptionally well in recent years, it’s planning for these very moments.

The Brewers enter 2025 having moved on from two cornerstone players—Adames and Devin Williams, their bullpen anchor. Despite this, they remain legitimate contenders to three-peat as NL Central champions. This speaks volumes about their commitment to sustainability, a focus that has kept them competitive even in the face of financial limitations.

How the Brewers positioned themselves so well traces back to a trade that set it all in motion.

Heading into 2024, the Brewers knew they were on borrowed time with Corbin Burnes. The ace was set to hit free agency at season’s end and with Milwaukee operating as a small-market team, outbidding the league’s financial powerhouses was never a realistic option. Instead of watching Burnes walk for nothing but a qualifying offer pick, Arnold took a much more proactive approach—flipping him to the Baltimore Orioles in a trade that, in hindsight, looks more brilliant everyday,

In return for Burnes, the Brewers landed:

• Joey Ortiz (INF): A high-upside infielder with elite defense and developing offensive skills.
• DL Hall (LHP): A promising lefty who is still a work in progress.
• A competitive balance draft pick.

At the time, some questioned whether Milwaukee was selling itself short. But now? The Brewers have turned a year left of Burnes (who has since left Baltimore to sign with Arizona) into a long-term solution at shortstop and a potential rotation piece. Ortiz is under team control through 2030, with arbitration not kicking in until 2027. Hall, meanwhile, carries the same years of control.

The Brewers’ chess game continues with a masterclass in front-office strategy

Once again, the Brewers have played the long game beautifully. While bigger-market teams throw money at short-term fixes, Milwaukee continues to prioritize long-term sustainability without making sharp competitive sacrifices.

It’s a strategy that has paid off. The franchise has made the playoffs five of the last six seasons while consistently churning out young, controllable talent. While fans may miss Adames, the transition to Ortiz is part of a larger chess game—one designed to keep the Brewers competitive.

Let’s be clear: No one is saying Ortiz is the next Adames. But he doesn’t have to be. What he can be is a critical piece of a young, developing Brewers core that will be leaned on to complement the club’s established veterans. And if history is any indication, the Brewers’ front office is once again a step ahead of the competition.

The Brewers are a team that continues to find ways to win, that should be reason enough to bring excitement for their new shortstop.

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