Overview
- Reporting from The Athletic indicates the Brewers are fretting over 2026 payroll, prompting questions about subtracting to add this offseason.
- Woodruff’s one-year qualifying-offer acceptance adds a significant budget hit and, under MLB rules, he cannot be traded without his consent until June 15.
- Owner Mark Attanasio and baseball operations chief Matt Arnold say any decision on Freddy Peralta is independent of Woodruff’s return.
- Peralta is owed about $8 million for 2026 before free agency and, after a standout 2025, would be a high-value rotation piece for interested clubs.
- Smaller cost cuts and structural tweaks are being discussed, including dealing relievers Trevor Megill and Nick Mears for modest savings or exploring a multi-year deal to lower Woodruff’s annual hit.