Jake Bauers and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a four-year, $58 million contract on Friday.

Bauers led the Milwaukee Brewers during the regular season with 26 home runs and a .389 OBP in 144 games. He ranked third on the team with 86 RBIs and finished first among qualified hitters with an .874 OPS.

He then earned National League Championship Series MVP honors after hitting .286 with one double, one home run and six RBIs during Milwaukee’s four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His overall postseason production was less impressive. Bauers hit .191 with one home run and six RBIs in 13 games.

Losing Bauers creates a substantial opening in Milwaukee’s lineup. The Brewers must replace their leading home run hitter, their most productive qualified hitter and a player who delivered during their run to the World Series title.

Milwaukee could respond by pursuing Ty France, who can play first base and also contribute as a designated hitter. Luis Arraez represents another option.

Brice Turang is Milwaukee’s starting second baseman, making first base the most logical position for Arraez.

He already possesses considerable experience there, having played 263 career games (244 starts) at first base. Most of those appearances came during his time with the San Diego Padres.

The San Francisco Giants traded Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, but a sprained left ankle prevented him from helping Philadelphia during the postseason.

Arraez remains one of MLB’s premier contact hitters. He has captured three batting titles and finished the 2026 season with a .310 average, six home runs, 64 RBIs and a .765 OPS in 151 games.

His lackluster defense at second base has been the main reason he has moved between several teams throughout his career.

Arraez will be 30 years old when the 2027 season begins.

Arraez would not replace Bauers’ power, meaning Milwaukee would need to find additional home run production elsewhere in the lineup. However, Arraez would provide a completely different offensive presence.

His ability to make frequent contact could help the Brewers extend innings and create opportunities for the hitters behind him. Arraez would give Milwaukee a player less dependent on power and capable of producing against pitchers who limit home runs.

First base would also reduce the importance of his defensive limitations at second base. The Brewers could keep Turang at his established position while placing Arraez in a role where his offensive contribution becomes the primary focus.

Arraez’s approach would fit a lineup built around collective execution rather than one dominant hitter. He can put the ball in play, force the defense to make plays and prevent opposing pitchers from cruising through easy at-bats.

The Brewers would still need to determine whether his limited power provides enough value at first base. That position traditionally carries greater offensive expectations.

Arraez would not be a direct replacement for Bauers, but his contact ability, first-base experience and proven hitting could help Milwaukee reshape its offense after losing one of its most important players.