Brewers: MLBTR Predicts 3 from 2022-23 Top 50 Free Agents List to the Crew

Here are three free agents that MLB Trade Rumors predicts the Brewers will sign for the 2023 season.

2. 3B Brandon Drury

Like catcher, third base is another offensive position the Brewers could look to address this offseason. The production the team received there during the 2022 season was inconsistent to say the least.

A year after it seemed like he had taken the reigns at third base, Luis Urias took a step back in 2022. Injuries to start the year didn't help, but he still ended up seeing all parts of his slash line decline from year to year (.239/.335/.404). A .739 OPS was okay, but will those numbers bounce back or continue to go down?

Jace Peterson saw a bunch of time at third last year as well and started off well enough, but his production dropped as the season went on and he is now a free agent. Mike Brosseau had good numbers in his first season with Milwaukee (.255/.344/.418), but only played in 69 games. Who knows if he is ready for a bigger role.

MLB Trade Rumors' Darragh McDonald predicts that the Brewers will bolster the position by bringing in free agent third baseman Brandon Drury. It might not be a long term solution, but could provide some needed stability.

The 30-year-old signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent prior to last season before being traded to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. When all was said and done, he ended up having the best offensive season of his career.

Between the two teams, Drury hit .263 with a .813 OPS, which was a career high as were his 28 homers, 87 RBIs, and 87 runs scored. He was awarded a Silver Slugger at the utility position for his efforts.

Speaking of which, Drury would bring another trait that the Brewers always seem to love: positional versatility. While he has played most of his career games at third (211), he has played nearly as many at second (192), and a good number at the corner outfield spots (76 in left field, 57 in right field).

One question is whether the Brewers believe that his production is sustainable. Prior to last season's 2.6 bWAR, Drury had only produced a positive bWAR in two other seasons: 1.4 in 2017 and 0.2 in 2021.

MLB Trade Rumors projects Drury at a two-year deal worth $18MM. If he can provide Silver Slugger level offense yet again going forward, that price would be worth it for Milwaukee.

Here are three free agents that MLB Trade Rumors predicts the Brewers will sign for the 2023 season.

3. OF/DH Michael Brantley

When it comes to the outfield, the Brewers could go in a number of different directions. Former MVP Christian Yelich could stay there or move to designated hitter. Hunter Renfroe has been involved in trade rumors. They have a bunch of young prospects ready to step up. And Tyrone Taylor is no lock to stay on the roster for 2023.

The same could be said at designated hitter. Andrew McCutchen is no longer an option as he has hit free agency. Keston Hiura could be, though his status is somewhat enigmatic for next season. Again, Yelich could be an option but he'll likely mostly play his natural outfield position, as would Rowdy Tellez at first base.

One free agent could help address both positions and allow the Brewers to reunite with an old player in the process.

That free agent, according to Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors, is Michael Brantley. Brewers fans probably remember him as a piece of the infamous trade that brought in CC Sabathia back in the 2008 playoff season.

Brantley has had quite the career after 10 seasons played with the Cleveland Guardians and the last four with the Houston Astros. He is a five-time All-Star, has won a Silver Slugger, and finished third in American League MVP voting in 2014.

The numbers aren't too shabby either. Brantley has a career .288/.370/.416 slash line with 127 home runs, 713 RBIs, 346 doubles, 125 stolen bases, and 751 runs scored. And at 35 years old, he hasn't particularly slowed down with age.

Unfortunately, Brantley was limited to 64 games due to a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery, so Milwaukee would need to hope that the injury doesn't start to slow down some of his production.

And there is also the price tag as MLB Trade Rumors projects him at a one-year deal for $15MM. That's an even more expensive deal than the McCutchen one that didn't work out that well last season, though Brantley comes with a better recent track record.

Unless that injury plus age causes a serious immediate decline, Brantley would provide a lot more consistency for Milwaukee's offense. If the team is serious about improving the part of the team this offseason, perhaps its an investment worth making.

It could be a few months before we know if the Brewers sign these or any other free agents for the 2023 season. Hopefully that's what happens because even one of these guys could go a long way toward getting the team back on track next year.