After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series on Oct. 28 to capture their first title, the Milwaukee Brewers are sitting atop the baseball world. 

Now, even with the high they are riding, they are going to be subjected to an interesting offseason, just as Major League Baseball's 29 other teams will be. 

This is because the Players Association and the owners are at a tension-filled impasse regarding whether or not the next Collective Bargaining Agreement needs to include a salary cap and a salary floor. 

The latest proposal has a cap and a floor going into effect in the 2028 season, and the floor would be set at 180.2 million, which is up from 171.2 million in the last proposal. It seems that The latest proposal will be shot down by the MLBPA, but whatever number gets proposed for a salary floor, it will likely exceed the Brewers' current payroll. 

If Milwaukee, fresh off its first World Series title in franchise history, is compelled to spend more money, could it mean first baseman Jake Bauers returns to the team?

According to recent contract projections by ESPN MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel, Bauers is predicted to earn a three-year deal worth $52.5 million, which comes out to an Average Annual Value of $17.5 million. 

Bauers was recently offered the $23.15 million qualifying offer by Milwaukee, but McDaniel believes there is a chance that he may prefer a multi-year deal to get the biggest guarantee. 

Currently, Milwaukee's payroll sits at $146.7 million, which is 19th out of MLB's 30 teams. McDaniel noted that a longer deal brings down the AAV for Bauers, which would favor the Brewers' finances. Therefore, both sides could come to a long-term agreement soon.

Bauers, 31, had a breakout year with Milwaukee in which he posted a .266 batting average, a .389 on-base percentage, a .484 slugging percentage and an .873 OPS with 26 home runs over 144 games.

His rapid improvement from nearly retiring from baseball to being a key contributor on a championship team cannot be denied, and the Brewers would likely benefit from having him back in the fold.

Milwaukee is not known for paying big money to acquire or retain players, and since its business practice finally resulted in a title, there is a chance only a salary floor could make the organization change course. 

However, if what McDaniel believes comes to fruition, Bauers may remain with the Brewers for the long haul.