Brewers' Wade Miley Declines $10M Option, Becomes Free Agent Ahead of 2024 Season

Following a 9-4 season with a 3.14 ERA, 37-year-old Miley declines half of mutual option, aiming to test value in competitive free agent market.

Wade Miley has declined a $10 million mutual option for 2024, opting for a $1 million buyout and the opportunity to enter the free agent market; Miley had a 9-4 season with a 3.14 ERA in 2023 for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Miley's performance in the 2023 season was notably strong; he allowed one earned run or fewer in more than half of his starts, and fewer than four earned runs in all but three of his outings.
Despite injury-related challenges, including a left lat strain in May and June, and left elbow discomfort after the All-Star break, Miley had a strong performance during his 23 starts in the 2023 season.
Miley's movement to free agency comes at a time when the Brewers' pitching lineup is uncertain; Brandon Woodruff is expected to miss the 2024 season due to shoulder surgery, and left-hander Aaron Ashby’s status is still unclear after missing all of '23 due to a shoulder injury.
In the light of Miley's move and other factors, the Brewers have started filling their rotation gaps; they signed Freddy Peralta and Colin Rea for 2024, and right-hander Colin Rea was re-signed on a $4.5 million one-year deal.