Brewers Explore Trades, Face Key Pitcher Decisions After NLCS Loss

The Milwaukee Brewers, despite having the best regular-season record in baseball in 2025, were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, prompting significant offseason decisions. The team faces uncertainty with key pitchers: Brandon Woodruff, who posted a strong 3.20 ERA in 12 starts but is injury-prone, has a $20 million mutual option for 2026 but is likely to hit free agency and may not be re-signed by Milwaukee. To address rotation depth concerns, the Brewers are targeting Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, a controllable All-Star pitcher with a career-low ERA, as a prime acquisition to maintain their NL Central dominance. Additionally, the Brewers are predicted to replace slugger Rhys Hoskins, who has struggled with injuries and declining performance, with breakout star Andrew Vaughn, who has been instrumental in their late-season surge. The team might also trade Freddy Peralta and consider replacing Woodruff with a more affordable option like Adrian Houser, reflecting a potential shift toward cost-effective pitching solutions. These moves highlight Milwaukee's efforts to rebuild and strengthen their roster to remain competitive in upcoming seasons.