Brewers: 3 Things That Should Be On Matt Arnold's To-Do List At Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are finally here! As all of baseball descends on San Diego, let's check what's on the Brewers to-do list at these meetings.

New Brewers decision-maker, GM Matt Arnold, has been pretty active this offseason since taking over for David Stearns, who stepped down into an advisory role. He's swung two big trades already, sending out his starting right fielder and second baseman in exchange for five combined players in return.

But there is more work to do on this roster, and the Winter Meetings are the perfect place to do it. So what could be next on Arnold's to-do list?

Here are three things that the Milwaukee Brewers should get done on their to-do list before the Winter Meetings are over.

Brewers Winter Meetings To-Do #1: Get an upgrade at catcher

It's the most obvious position upgrade the Brewers can make and there are still a number of options on the market that are motivated to move and get deals done.

Victor Caratini struggled mightily in the second half and Mario Feliciano is an unproven rookie. The Brewers would be better off acquiring an outside addition at catcher and moving on from Caratini. That outside addition could come from the free agent or trade market.

Christian Vazquez is the top free agent catcher not named Willson Contreras. Contreras is out of the Crew's price range but Vazquez is not. He'd be an excellent fit in Milwaukee and fits the type of catcher the Brewers like, experienced, a strong defender, and handles a pitching staff well. Plus he'd be a major upgrade with the bat, which is needed.

Then there's the trade market. The Blue Jays and Athletics are each looking to trade a starting quality catcher. Manny Pina could be out on the trade market as well from Atlanta. There are a good number of options out there, but the Brewers will have some competition and will need to work fast.

Both the Cubs and Cardinals are in the catcher market as well this winter and they could strike at any moment on any of these catchers. They have the prospects as well to trade for any of the top catchers and the money to sign the free agent catchers as well.

Waiting on their division rivals to make moves isn't going to work in Milwaukee's favor. Get your guy before your rival snatches them up. Work quickly, and beat them to the market, ensuring you get your pick of the litter.

Brewers Winter Meetings To-Do #3: Add A Starting Third Baseman

Luis Urias took a step back offensively in 2022. It remains to be seen if he'll ever fully reach his offensive potential and he might be best suited for a super-utility role. The Brewers have put him in that role before and if they get a third base upgrade, they may do so again.

Currently, the Crew's third base depth chart is comprised of Urias, Mike Brosseau, and Abraham Toro. That's not a group that inspires much confidence. The Brewers should look to upgrade.

If this offense is going to be as good as it needs to be, they need a high quality third baseman. Unfortunately the free agent market isn't flush with options. The best choice for an upgrade is Brandon Drury, who would make a lot of sense for the Brewers but there also will be a lot of suitors for him.

Former Dodger Justin Turner is also available and the Brewers had tried to recruit him in the past and sign him. Perhaps they will try to do so again.

On the trade market, the best player with a chance to move is Yandy Diaz of the Rays. He would be the perfect upgrade if the Rays are looking to move him. Arnold knows the Rays front office pretty well from his time there and perhaps he could convince them to make a deal.

Wherever they look, the Brewers need to come away with an upgrade at third base. Because the options are so few on the market, the earlier they strike, the better. If Matt Arnold is going to get an upgrade at third base this offseason, his best bet is to find one at the Winter Meetings.

If the Brewers are able to check off all three of these things on their to-do list, it will be a highly successful Winter Meetings for Milwaukee's first-year decision maker Matt Arnold.