The Brewers offseason work begins
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A week after the Milwaukee Brewers season ended, both general manager Matt Arnold and manager Pat Murphy spoke with reporters about the season and the offseason ahead.
After a 93-69 season and winning the National League Central Division by 10 games, the Brewers season ended in a familiar place without a postseason series win.
"When you look at a lot of the peaks we had throughout the season, there's a lot to be proud of," said Matt Arnold. "With that comes emotions of wanting to be playing right now."
Arnold thinks it would be a "crime" if Murphy does not win Baseball Writers' of America's NL Manager of the Year Award following his first season as the team's manager. No Brewers manager has ever won the award.
Murphy put his players' effort as the number one thing he was proud of.
"They competed nearly every night and to be part of something like that is special. The 2024 season is special for me," said Murphy.
After processing the loss, the Brewers can now start discussions on what's next. Shortstop Willy Adames is coming off a career-year and now enters free agency.
"I think you guys all know how we feel about Willy Adames and what he brings to this team and this building. Every day he makes that room better in the clubhouse. We all know that. We had opportunities to trade him, and we didn't because of how much he means to this team and to this franchise. It's not just what he does on the field it's who he is," said Arnold. "He's earned the right to explore the market, and he deserves that, certainly. but we love him to death here and he knows that."
Adames headlines a list of players that either have contract options, are eligible for arbitration, or will be free agents this offseason.
According to Spotrac, catcher William Contreras, pitchers Trevor Megill, Joel Payamps, and Aaron Civale are among the players eligible for arbitration. Pitchers Freddy Peralta and Devin Williams, as well as first baseman Rhys Hoskins have club options.
Injured players like pitcher Brandon Woodruff and outfielder Christian Yelich are expected to return as well adding into the decisions the Brewers make in the offseason to form the 2025 team.
Both Murphy and Arnold feel there was no lack of exciting moments during the season or individual breakout performances like rookie players outfielder Jackson Chourio or pitcher Tobias Myers, so they feel the franchise is at and understand there is still work to be done.
"Taking the next step will require the same type of effort because we could have easily taken the next step because we could have easily been in the same position that any of these other teams are in right now," said Murphy.
"I think we're in a really good spot. The season didn't end the way we wanted so that means we have to get back to work and find a way to do what we can to bring a championship here to Milwaukee but as far as organizational effort. I think we are in really really good shape overall," said Arnold.
Free agency begins the day after the World Series ends.