Despite durability concerns, Brandon Woodruff remains an elite weapon. Securing a low-risk deal for the homegrown leader preserves the Milwaukee Brewers’ rotation depth and locker room stability.
The Milwaukee Brewers will not face many major free agent decisions this upcoming offseason, but Brandon Woodruff’s future stands above the rest.
The two-time All-Star received a one-year qualifying offer last offseason and will return to free agency this winter.
Reliable when available
Woodruff remained excellent whenever he pitched this season. The right-hander posted a 2.98 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 47 strikeouts in 45.1 innings over nine starts.
However, a right shoulder injury interrupted his campaign and initially appeared serious enough to require surgery. The injury seemingly ended his 2026 season and created the possibility that he could also miss the 2027 campaign.
Woodruff ultimately avoided surgery and has recently resumed throwing.
Returning during the 2026 season remains far from guaranteed. If Woodruff pitches for Milwaukee again before the campaign concludes, the Brewers would likely need to advance deep into the postseason.
The greater question concerns whether he will return to Milwaukee in 2027.
Woodruff has continued performing at an elite level when healthy, but availability has become a significant concern. He missed the entire 2024 season and appeared in only 21 combined games during the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.
At slightly more than $22 million, Woodruff currently holds the second-highest salary on Milwaukee’s roster. He and Christian Yelich were the only Brewers earning more than $10 million in 2026, excluding players acquired at the trade deadline.
Woodruff carried a substantial cost without consistently remaining on the mound, forcing Milwaukee to decide whether another contract represents a reasonable investment.
Bringing him back at a considerably lower salary could provide the proper solution. Woodruff demonstrated this season that he can still dominate when healthy.
His outlook has also improved significantly. Surgery once appeared capable of ending his 2026 season and potentially eliminating his entire 2027 campaign.
That outcome is no longer expected. Even if he cannot return this season, he appears positioned to pitch again in 2027.
Woodruff’s value
The homegrown pitcher has spent his entire nine-year MLB career with Milwaukee, making him one of the organization’s most established figures.
His familiarity with the Brewers allows him to guide younger pitchers through preparation, difficult stretches and the demands of a long season. Woodruff’s leadership carries additional importance because teammates respect him and Milwaukee has embraced him.
He brings competitiveness, resilience and a deep connection to the organization. This cannot eliminate concerns about his recent injuries. That said it strengthens the argument for retaining him under the correct terms.
Financial considerations will ultimately control the negotiations. After Woodruff missed most of 2026, Milwaukee would be unlikely to offer anything resembling his current salary.
A cheaper prove-it contract would limit the Brewers’ risk while allowing Woodruff to rebuild his value with the only MLB organization he has represented. Milwaukee should consider that possibility when free agency begins.
