The Milwaukee Brewers extended a one-year qualifying offer worth $23.15 million to first baseman Jake Bauers, the National League Championship Series MVP, during a busy collection of roster moves.

Bauers has until Nov. 17 to accept or reject Milwaukee’s offer.

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

Bauers then earned NLCS 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.

After producing the breakout season of his career, Bauers should generate considerable interest from teams willing to offer much more guaranteed money than the value of the qualifying offer.

However, his decision may not be based entirely on the largest contract available. Bauers became an integral part of Milwaukee’s clubhouse and developed a strong appreciation for playing with the Brewers, making his preference difficult to predict.

Losing Bauers in free agency would create a significant opening in Milwaukee’s lineup. The Brewers would need to 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.

France performed exceptionally well for the San Diego Padres last season, hitting .295 with 21 home runs, 72 RBIs and an .865 OPS in 133 games.

He continued producing during the postseason, hitting .318 with one double and two RBIs in six games.

France would not need to reproduce Bauers’ season exactly to become a useful replacement.

His ability to handle first base and designated hitter responsibilities would give manager Pat Murphy flexibility when arranging the lineup and distributing playing time.

His consistent hitting approach could provide balance for a Milwaukee offense that would lose considerable power with Bauers’ departure.

France can contribute without depending exclusively on home runs, allowing him to extend innings, move runners and create opportunities for the hitters behind him.

That approach could fit a Brewers lineup built around collective production rather than one dominant offensive star. France would offer an established presence while allowing Milwaukee to avoid placing immediate pressure on an unproven internal replacement.

His postseason performance also showed that he can continue contributing when the level of competition increases and every at-bat becomes more important.

The Brewers should still prioritize retaining Bauers because of his production, connection with the clubhouse and importance to their World Series run. However, they also need a realistic alternative should he reject the qualifying offer and sign elsewhere.

France would provide experience, positional flexibility and a dependable hitting presence without requiring Milwaukee to completely restructure its lineup.