Brewers' GM reiterates team’s love for starting pitcher amid qualifying offer decision

Just six days remain before Brandon Woodruff has to make one of the most consequential decisions of his major league career. Prior to October 18, Woody has to decide whether or not to accept the Milwaukee Brewers' $22.025 million qualifying offer, which would keep him in Milwaukee for one more season. If Woodruff doesn't accept the offer, the Brewers will turn their attention to retaining their ace on a longer-term free agent contract.

It was a bold decision for Matt Arnold and the Brewers' front office to extend the qualifying offer to Woody. Not because Woodruff isn't worth the money and would be an important addition to the 2026 roster, but rather because $22.025 million is a lot of money for the small-market Brewers. Expected to have a payroll in the $120-130 million range and needing to pay the rising salaries of several arbitration-eligible players, Milwaukee would not be left with much spending power this offseason if Woody accepts the qualifying offer. The situation has led some to wonder whether the Brewers really want Woodruff to accept the qualifying offer or if their extension of it was merely a way to avoid missing out on the draft capital that they would receive if Woody declines the offer and signs with another team.

However, questions regarding the front office's stance on Woody's decision were answered on Wednesday morning after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Brewers' general manager and president of baseball operations' feelings on the matter.

MLB insider reports Brewers are dedicated to bringing back Woodruff with qualifying offer decision looming

With the GM meetings taking place in Las Vegas this week, fans can expect several quotes and soundbites to surface of their team's GM or president of baseball operations detailing the organization's plan for the offseason. Already, the meetings have revealed that the Brewers are planning on retaining Freddy Peralta for the 2026 season unless they are met with a trade package they can't refuse.

In addition to the team likely keeping their ace, Peralta, around for the final year of his contract, Matt Arnold communicated with The Athletic that the Brewers are hoping Woodruff returns to Milwaukee this offseason, whether that is via the qualifying offer or free agency. Rosenthal reports that in regard to Woodruff, Arnold said, "We’re focused on bringing him back...We’re in a window where we want to be competitive. And we think he can help us.”

In fairness, it would be odd for Arnold to say that the team doesn't want Woodruff back after they extended him the qualifying offer last week, but his comments are noteworthy nonetheless. They demonstrate that while the team may have to sacrifice elsewhere, they are ready to pay Woody the large qualifying offer, knowing that what he brings to the table is well worth the one-year, $22.025 million salary.

Woodruff is currently the longest-tenured Brewer, and he's well aware of the organization's strategy to remain competitive year after year. A one-year offer, regardless of the dollar amount, hardly prevents the Brewers from fielding a competitive team beyond 2026 and the return of Woodruff to the rotation positions Milwaukee as the favorites to win the NL Central once again next season, barring any major additions from the Chicago Cubs or perhaps even the Cincinnati Reds this offseason.

Therefore, while Woody accepting the qualifying offer might make for a quieter offseason in Milwaukee, Arnold's comments should be a welcomed development for Brewers fans. It's clear that the front office is acknowledging just how close the team was to their ultimate goal a season ago and wants to ensure that they have the best chance of accomplishing it in 2026.