PHOENIX (AP) — After all, Brandon Woodruff will remain with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The right-hander and Milwaukee have finalized a two-year, $17.5 million deal, with a mutual option for the 2026 campaign. Three months after the Brewers declined to tender the disabled pitcher a 2024 contract in favor of allowing him to test free agency, the agreement was finalized.
“I think you could say I still have a lot of unfinished business in a Brewers uniform,” Woodruff stated to reporters on Wednesday during a Zoom session. That’s my opinion on the matter. I’m ecstatic about this since, for an instant, I believed it to be the end.
Gary Sanchez, a catcher, was also signed by Milwaukee on Wednesday to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2025. Sánchez played for the New York Mets and San Diego Padres last season, where he hit 19 home runs.
It is anticipated that the 31-year-old Woodruff will miss the majority of the forthcoming season due to his shoulder surgery recovery. When the two-time All-Star returns to the mound, perhaps this year or next, the new deal might keep him with the Brewers.
Brewers President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold stated in a statement on Wednesday, “Back in November, when we non-tendered Brandon, we said we had to make a very difficult decision relating to one of the best pitchers and human beings in franchise history.” We added that we were still very much in favor of him going back to Milwaukee. I’m happy to report that Brandon has rejoined the Brewers family today. We are eager to support Brandon as he recovers and eventually makes his way back to the mound at American Family Field.
Woodruff will get $5 million in 2025 in addition to $2.5 million this year. A $20 million mutual option for 2026 is part of the deal, with a $10 million buyout, payable in half on January 15, 2026, and the remaining half on July 15, 2026. In addition, Woodruff receives a hotel suite on road trips and a complete no-trade clause in the deal.
Woodruff was eligible for arbitration and would have been under team control for a another year if the Brewers had chosen not to tender him. In October, he underwent surgery.
In reference to his potential availability for the 2018 season, Woodruff declared he would do as Texas Rangers club physician Keith Meister, who conducted the surgery, instructed.
Woodruff stated, “I’ll take it day by day, week by week, month by month, and see where I’m at, at the end of the year.” “Perhaps if it makes sense. If not, I’ll be prepared for ’25.”
Even if Woodruff is out this season, the Brewers think his clubhouse presence and seasoned leadership can be beneficial.
Woodruff declared, “I’m going to be a big cheerleader this year.” “I’m excited about that. It seems like something that will support my mental development. And I can physically reach a location this year that I desire. I just believe that attempting to help guys in whatever way I can and being available to them will be important.
Despite missing four months of the previous season due to tendinitis in his right shoulder, Woodruff finished 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 67 innings. Woodruff had another setback to his shoulder, which the Brewers announced the day before Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
