The Milwaukee Brewers are coming into the 2025 season at a bit of a crossroads. They won the NL Central last year, but a lot has changed since then. Some big names have moved on, and while they made some interesting moves over the winter, the big question is whether they did enough to stay on top. Now that spring training is in the books—and with a 16-14 record to show for it—it’s time to take a closer look at whether those offseason decisions are going to pay off.
The biggest gut punch of the offseason was losing Willy Adames. Brewers fans knew it was a possibility, but seeing him sign a massive seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants still stung. Adames was the heart and soul of this team, a guy who played hard every day and made clutch plays when it mattered. Losing him left a massive hole in the infield, and instead of going out and landing a big-name replacement, the Brewers decided to go with a mix of in-house options. That might work out in the long run, but it definitely felt like a gamble heading into spring training.
Then there was the trade that sent Devin Williams to the Yankees. Losing one of the best closers in baseball is never easy, but Milwaukee had their reasons. They got Nestor Cortes in return, a crafty lefty who had some ups and downs with New York, but when he’s on, he can be really tough to hit. They also got Caleb Durbin, an infield prospect who showed a lot of promise in the Arizona Fall League. The move made sense from a roster-building standpoint—bolstering the rotation while adding depth for the future—but it left some uncertainty in the bullpen. Who’s closing now? That’s still up in the air.
They did add some veteran pitching, bringing in José Quintana to stabilize the rotation. He’s not an ace, but he’s a guy who can eat innings and give them a chance to win every fifth day. In the bullpen, they took a flyer on Elvin Rodríguez, who had been playing in Japan. He’s a bit of a wild card, but if he adjusts quickly, he could be a nice piece in the late innings.
Offensively, the Brewers are leaning on their young guys to step up. Jackson Chourio is the name everyone’s talking about. He’s been one of the top prospects in baseball, and now he’s finally getting his shot to be a full-time outfielder. The kid has all the tools—power, speed, defense—you name it. If he lives up to the hype, Milwaukee’s lineup is going to look a lot more dangerous. Tyler Black and Oliver Dunn also made some noise in spring training, and it looks like they’re going to get their chances to make an impact.
So how did all of this play out in spring training? Well, it was a mixed bag. There were some really encouraging performances—Chourio looked as advertised, and Dunn was raking at the plate—but there were also some red flags. The rotation had some bright spots with Cortes and Quintana looking solid, but the back end of the rotation still feels like a question mark. And the bullpen? Let’s just say not having Williams in the ninth inning is going to take some getting used to. They still don’t have a set closer, and that could be a problem once the games start counting.
The other issue? The rest of the division isn’t sitting still. The Cubs made a huge splash by trading for Kyle Tucker and signing Ryan Pressly to shore up their bullpen. The Cardinals are trying to bounce back after a rough 2024, and the Reds have a young core that’s only getting better. Even the Pirates are starting to put together a more competitive team. The Brewers can’t afford to take a step back because the competition is only getting tougher.
So, what does this all mean for Milwaukee’s chances of winning the division again? Well, it’s going to come down to a few key things. First, Chourio has to be the guy they think he is. If he comes out and plays like a star, that changes everything. Second, they need some stability in the bullpen. Somebody has to step up and take control of the ninth inning. And third, their young infielders have to hold their own. Losing Adames was a big blow, but if guys like Dunn and Black can provide solid production, they might be able to weather it.
One thing the Brewers have going for them is their track record. This is an organization that has done a good job of finding undervalued talent and putting together competitive rosters without breaking the bank. They’ve lost key players before—Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes come to mind—and they’ve managed to stay competitive. But the question is, can they do it again?
Spring training gave some clues, but there’s only so much you can take away from those games. Chourio showed flashes of brilliance, but he also struggled with strikeouts at times. Dunn was a bright spot, but will that success translate into the regular season? The rotation looked solid in some spots but had its share of rough outings too. And the bullpen? Still a work in progress.
There’s also the matter of the offense as a whole. The Brewers have been a team that relies more on pitching and defense than a high-powered lineup, but if they’re going to compete this year, they might need to score more runs than they have in the past. Rowdy Tellez is going to have to step up, Christian Yelich needs to be more consistent, and William Contreras needs to build on his strong 2024 campaign. If those guys can produce, and Chourio lives up to the hype, then maybe the offense won’t be an issue.
Then there’s the manager, Pat Murphy. He’s in his second year at the helm, and he’s got a tough job ahead of him. Last year, he guided the Brewers to a division title, but now he has to do it with a team that’s undergone a lot of changes. How he handles the bullpen, how he gets the most out of his young players, and how he manages the ups and downs of the season will be crucial.
Here’s the thing folks: The Brewers are betting on their ability to develop talent and make smart roster moves rather than spending big in free agency. It’s a strategy that’s worked for them before, but with the division getting tougher, it’s a bigger risk than ever. They’ve got a real shot at staying competitive, but it’s not going to be easy. This season is going to be a test to see if their approach can still keep them at the top of the NL Central, or if it’s finally time for someone else to take that crown.
With that… The questions stands: Are the Brewers going to repeat as NL Central champions? The truth is, it’s too early to say. There are a lot of things that need to go right, but there’s also a lot of talent on this roster. If the young guys step up, if the bullpen sorts itself out, and if Murphy pushes the right buttons, then yeah, they’ve got a shot. But it’s going to be a grind. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an interesting season in Milwaukee.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!