Michael Brantley batted .288 last season while earning a World Series championship with the Houston ... [+]
The holiday shopping season is officially underway and while the Milwaukee Brewers have made a handful of moves since heating up the hot stove, president of baseball operations has yet to make a major splash on the free agent market.
So with a month to go before Christmas — and about 80 shopping days left before spring training opens — here are three potential free agent signings that could fit neatly into Milwaukee’s 2023 plans:
OF/DH Michael Brantley
Michael Brantley was Milwaukee's seventh-round pick in the 2005 Draft but was traded to Cleveland in ... [+]
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Opening Day age: 35
2022 Stats: .288/.348/.423, 8 HR, 37 RBI, .771 OPS
2022 Salary: $16 million
Brantley isn’t going to knock the cover off the ball but has been one of the most consistent overall hitters in baseball the last few seasons and could fill a role similar to Andrew McCutchen, who signed a one-year deal during Spring Training to serve as the Brewers’ designated hitter and backup outfielder.
If the two sides were to work out a deal, it would mark a homecoming of sorts for the five-time All-Star who was Milwaukee’s seventh-round pick in the 2005 MLB Draft. Brantley batted .323 with six homers and 157 RBIs during four seasons in the Brewers system, making it as far as Double-A before he was sent to Cleveland as a player to be named later in the blockbuster trade that brought CC Sabathia to Milwaukee in 2008.
C Wilson Contreras
Wilson Contreras has been a thorn in the Brewers' side the last few years but is the best available ... [+]
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Opening Day age: 30
2022 Stats: .243/.349/.466, 22 HR, 55 RBI, .815 OPS
2022 Salary: $9.625 million
Contreras hasn’t exactly endeared himself to Brewers fans over the last few seasons and has had more than a fair share of issues with Milwaukee’s pitchers, who’ve drilled him with 16 pitches since 2018 including 11 in the last three seasons. But he is easily the best catcher available on the open market and would not only provide a significant offensive upgrade from Omar Narvaez but also keep him from either returning to the Cubs or signing with the rival Cardinals, who have reportedly shown interest in signing the veteran backstop to replace Yadier Molina.
If the Brewers are going to make a splash this offseason, catcher is the most logical spot to do so in terms of need but the lack of options could drive Contreras’ price too high and with four internal candidates, Milwaukee could choose to stand pat while looking for a potential trade if an upgrade becomes necessary.
J.D. Martinez
With 44 home runs and an .829 OPS the last two seasons, veteran slugger J.D. Martinez could be the ... [+]
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Opening Day age: 35
2022 stats: .274/.341/.448, 16 HR, 62 RBI, .790 OPS
2022 salary: $19,350 million
. The 12-year veteran put up solid numbers in 2022 and has a slash line of .280/.345/.484 with 85 doubles, 44 home runs, 161 RBIs and an .829 OPS in 1,230 plate appearances for Boston over the last two seasons with a pair of All-Star appearances during that stretch.
Martinez appeared in 139 games last season, all of them as the Red Sox’ designated hitter. He’s has only made 137 appearances in the outfield since joining the Red Sox in 2018 so he might not be nearly as versatile as Brantley but the Brewers might be willing to look past that if the price is right and Martinez produces at the plate.
