3 former Brewers fan favorites who are still seeking jobs as 2024 spring training approaches

Free agency sometimes isn't all it's cracked up to be. For some players, it's a coveted way to see what you're worth on the open market and get the most amount of money you can in your next contract. For others, it's a struggle to find an opportunity to play next season.

As pitchers and catchers get ready to report to spring training and the preparation for the 2024 championship season gets underway, several former Brewers players who were beloved in Milwaukee are still languishing on the open market, seeking a job for this season.

There are various reasons for all of them, but these three former Brewers are still free agents as spring training gets started across the league.

1. RHP Brandon Woodruff

This is sure to change soon enough, but Brandon Woodruff is still a free agent. The Brewers non-tendered him after they found out he'd need shoulder surgery that would keep him out for likely all of 2024, his final season of team control. Knowing he can't be counted on to help anyone this year, even a pitcher as talented as Woodruff hasn't been signed.

The reason being that whichever team signs Woodruff would have to keep him on their 40 man roster all offseason until the 60 day IL opens, which happens as soon as spring training begins. That means that once pitchers and catchers report, a team can sign Woodruff and put him on the 60 Day IL immediately, so they don't have to DFA a healthy player that can help the team in 2024.

Every team in the league would love to have a player like Woodruff on their team, and several will likely be looking to sign him to a backloaded two year contract, helping him rehab through his surgery for a low price and hoping he returns to form in 2025.

It's been reported that the Mets and former Brewers GM David Stearns have had interest in Woodruff this offseason, which would make a lot of sense as a landing spot. The Mets are retooling and planning for being competitive again in 2025, so he fits their window plus the familiarity between Woody and Stearns. The Brewers also have not closed the door on Woodruff and could also look to bring him back.

Woodruff is still unemployed, but that won't last long as soon as teams are able to stash him on their 60 day IL.