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Brewers ace is among the most talented pitchers in Chris Webber Jersey the league today. In 103 starts since joining the clubs rotation full-time during the 2019 season, Woodruff has posted a 2.93 ERA (45% better than league average by measure of ERA+) with a 3.10 FIP and a 30% strikeout rate acro s 595 innings of work. Among pitchers with at least 500 innings pitched during that timeframe, only and have posted a lower ERA than Woodruff. Meanwhile, only , , , and fellow Brewers and have posted a higher strikeout rate over that same timeframe. Despite that immense talent, Woodruff struggled with injuries in 2023, making just 11 starts all season due to shoulder i sues. While he managed an impre sive 2.28 ERA and 29.2% strikeout rate during his limited time on the mound, the Brewers received devastating news last month when it was revealed that ace right-hander Brandon Woodruff that could put his entire 2024 season in jeopardy. News that a pitcher of Woodruffs caliber has gone under the knife is never welcome, but its particularly poor timing for both the right-hander and his club given Woodruffs pending free agency following the 2024 season. With Woodruff for a $11.6MM salary in his final trip through arbitration by MLBTRs Matt Swartz, the small-market Brewers have been unexpectedly forced to reckon with the question of whether or not its worth devoting what would have been nearly 10% of their total 2023 payroll ( ) to one-year deal for an injured arm with an uncertain timetable for return. While initial indications were that the righty would mi s most or perhaps even all of the 2024 campaign, that its po sible he could return to the mound at some point next summer. Still, even the po sibility of a half-season of excellence from Woodruff doesnt change the fact that a $11.6MM gamble on Woodruffs health could be unwise for Brewers to make this offseason. With star manager having already , the Brewers have started off their offseason by veteran first baseman and outfielder to the Tigers as reports have indicated that the club is the majority of the players on their roster. Whats more, co-ace Corbin Burnes and shortstop both set to hit the open market in 2024 in addition to Woodruff, leaving the Brewers in a tight spot regarding their roster if they hope to continue avoiding a full-blown rebuild as they have for the past several years. That being said, even if the Brewers wind up moving Burnes and Adames this offseason, its unlikely theyd find much value for Woodruff on the trade market. Its always po sible that Woodruff and the Brewers could work out a short-term extension, extending Woodruffs club control into 2025 while providing him additional security as he rehabs from shoulder surgery. That being said, Woodruff will be 31 years old on Opening Day 2024. Delaying his free agency until hes preparing for his age-33 season would surely compromise the right-handers value on the open market, making it a le s than attractive option for the righty. While Woodruff has expre sed a desire to remain in Milwaukee long term, he noted last month that he and the Brewers had not yet engaged in extension negotiations at that point. With MLBs tender deadline le s than a week away, the Brewers are staring down the most significant decision of their offseason to this point: do they tender Woodruff a contract? If they do so without a pre-tender extension, they could find themselves on the hook for a salary upwards of $12MM in 2024 for a pitcher who might not be able to contribute. And while they could extend Woodruff a qualifying offer next offseason to ensure they recoup draft pick compensation for his services, theres no guarantee that his performance in 2024 coming off injury will justify such an expenditure. At the same time, Woodruff has strong incentive to not agree to a pre-tender deal. If the Brewers ultimately decide to non-tender the 30-year-old, hell have the opportunity to negotiate a deal with any of MLBs 30 clubs on the open market, giving him plenty of options as he looks for a new home with whom to rehab and hopefully pitch in 2024 and perhaps beyond. How do MLBTR readers believe the Brewers will approach their predicament? Will they non-tender Woodruff this coming Friday if he does not agree to a pre-tender deal, allowing him to hit the open market for nothing? Or will they tender him a contract and hope to agree to a more favorable arrangement than his $11.6MM projected salary later in the offseason? Have your say in the poll below: ( for app users) What Will The Brewers Do With Brandon Woodruff? Non-tender him if he will not agree to a pre-tender deal with more favorable terms than his one-year, $11.6MM projection. 58.82% (3,171votes) Tender him a contract in hopes of agreeing to a more favorable deal later in the offseason. 41.18% (2,220votes) Total Votes: 5,391 Mychal Mulder Jersey |
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发表于 2025-11-30 12:15:19