2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee’s roster has been overhauled again, yet the front office insists the mission remains unchanged: keep the Brewers in October. After missing the 2022 postseason, the club has reeled off three straight playoff berths and now faces 2026 with a younger, retooled squad built around emerging arms and a still-potent lineup.

The winter began with a seismic departure. Freddy Peralta, the last link to the Burnes-Woodruff-Peralta rotation that defined Milwaukee’s recent golden era, was shipped to the Mets for right-hander Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams. Sproat, who debuted late last season, brings a heavy sinker and a full five-pitch mix, while Williams immediately becomes the Brewers’ most dynamic infield prospect and is expected to seize an everyday role once camp breaks.

To cushion the blow of losing their ace, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold pivoted to volume and upside. Southpaw Kyle Harrison arrived from San Francisco in the Caleb Durbin deal; the 23-year-old fanned 15 in 9.2 Cactus League innings this spring, though the long ball remains a concern after he surrendered four homers in the same stretch. Durbin also netted David Hamilton—an 80-grade burner who tormented catchers all spring—and lottery-ticket lefty Shane Drohan, whose four-seam generated whiffs at a 37-percent clip in Triple-A last year, third-best in the circuit.

Venezuelan left-hander Angel Zerpa, acquired from Kansas City in a separate swap, could prove the most impactful addition. Zerpa did not allow a run and surrendered only three hits while striking out eight across 5.1 innings in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, showcasing the cross-fire angle that has made him virtually unhittable for fellow lefties. He joins Aaron Ashby and Jared Koenig to give manager Pat Murphy a trio of quality left-handed relievers.

Brandon Woodruff’s acceptance of the qualifying offer provides a veteran anchor for a rotation that will otherwise lean heavily on 24-year-old Jacob Misiorowski, now the de facto staff ace. Sproat and Harrison slot in behind them, with swingman Tobias Myers and rookie Brandon Sproat also in the mix after José Quintana’s departure.

Offensively, the core remains star-studded. Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Brice Turang, and offseason acquisition Andrew Vaughn project to form one of the National League’s deepest lineups. Switch-hitting infielder Luis Rengifo, picked up for his career .834 OPS versus lefties, and Gary Sanchez—returning as Contreras’s backup—add functional depth.

The Brewers have made a habit of turning unheralded moves into October appearances. If Misiorowski ascends, Zerpa’s WBC dominance translates to the majors, and Williams hits the ground running, Milwaukee believes it can extend its decade-long contention streak without skipping a beat.