The Milwaukee Brewers have made some moves in the offseason, but it’s important to note that they lost two aces: one for good, and another one until the summer at the very least.
They traded Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, and Brandon Woodruff underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder in October.
Woodruff is expected to miss most (possibly all) of the 2024 campaign and he was non-tendered in November.
The market proved tough for Woodruff, mainly because of his injury because he is a star when healthy as his 2.28 ERA in 67 frames suggests.
However, the Brewers just did the logical thing, re-signing him to a two-year deal.
“Brewers, RHP Brandon Woodruff reportedly agree to 2-year deal, per @MLBNetwork Insider @JonHeyman,” MLB tweeted.
Brewers, RHP Brandon Woodruff reportedly agree to 2-year deal, per @MLBNetwork Insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/WjvWgYBIbm
— MLB (@MLB) February 19, 2024
The surgery Woodruff had was definitely no small thing.
Teams would need to see if he can ever return to form before making a long-term investment.
What the Brewers are doing is giving him a chance to rehab with the team and make money in the process, allowing him to come back strong either late in 2024 or in 2025 to prove his worth and re-enter the free agent market ahead of 2026.
Numerous teams were reportedly interested in acquiring Woodruff, but he chose to stay in the place he has called home for the last seven years.
When healthy, he is an ace: he has a 3.10 ERA with a 46-26 record since making his MLB debut in 2017.
The Brewers might not be as good as they were in 2023 when they won the NL Central, but retaining Woodruff on a two-year deal is a sign that they want to keep competing in the short-term.
NEXT: Brewers Add A Pitcher After Trading Away An Ace