Brewers 2024: Two Departures We'll Regret, Two We Won't

Elias Adebayo

4 min read Post on Apr 23, 2025

Departures We'll Regret

Corbin Burnes: The Irreplaceable Ace

Key Stats & Contributions: Burnes, a former NL Cy Young contender, consistently delivered top-tier pitching performances, boasting a sub-3.00 ERA and striking out over 10 batters per nine innings in multiple seasons. His presence stabilized the Brewers' pitching rotation and provided a crucial psychological advantage in close games. His impact extends beyond the box score – he's a key player in the clubhouse, respected by his teammates. This is a significant loss for the Brewers lineup.
Irreplaceable Qualities: Burnes’ combination of overpowering stuff, pinpoint command, and exceptional composure made him one of the league's elite starters. Finding a pitcher with his consistent performance and game-changing ability will be extremely difficult.
Impact and Mitigation: The loss of Burnes creates a gaping hole in the Brewers' starting rotation. While potential replacements like [insert potential replacement and their limitations], they lack Burnes' experience and consistency. The Brewers may need to explore both internal development and free agency to mitigate the impact.

Willy Adames: A Hole in the Infield

Unique Skill Set: Adames provided exceptional defense at shortstop, a position often hard to fill with consistent quality players. His offensive contributions included timely hitting and power. He was a reliable performer in the lineup, delivering consistent production. A team cornerstone, his departure leaves a significant hole in the Brewers' infield defense.
Specific Area Affected: His departure weakens the Brewers' infield defense and reduces their offensive firepower from the shortstop position. Replacing his power and leadership will be challenging.
Difficulty in Replacement: Finding a shortstop with comparable defensive skills and offensive production will be challenging for the Brewers. They will likely need to prioritize addressing this void through either free agency or a trade, impacting other areas of roster construction. This is a blow to the Brewers pitching and overall team dynamics.

Departures We Won't Regret

Eric Lauer: A Necessary Sacrifice

Reasons for Departure: Lauer's departure, whether through trade or free agency, could be a necessary move based on several factors. Perhaps his contract demands exceed the Brewers' budget, or younger pitching prospects present a more cost-effective and potentially higher-ceiling option for the future. This is all part of savvy Brewers roster management.
Strategic Reasons: Letting go of Lauer allows the Brewers to allocate resources elsewhere. This may involve bolstering the lineup, addressing needs in other areas of the pitching staff, or investing more resources in player development. The Brewers rebuild starts with difficult decisions.
Addressing Other Needs: The funds freed by Lauer's departure can be used to acquire a cost-effective starting pitcher or even strengthen the bullpen. Such decisions are a vital part of building a competitive Brewers future.

[Player D's Name – Example: Owen Miller]: Parting Ways for the Greater Good

Circumstances: A trade involving Miller could see the Brewers acquire a valuable prospect to bolster their farm system. This demonstrates a commitment to long-term success beyond immediate performance gains. Such moves are critical to Brewers prospect development.
Benefits of Departure: Miller’s departure, even if seemingly detrimental in the short term, might allow for the promotion of a higher-ceiling prospect from within the organization. This contributes to the Brewers' youth movement and organizational depth.
Long-Term Strategy: This move underscores the Brewers' focus on developing their farm system, highlighting a commitment to a sustainable future rather than immediate gratification. This supports the Brewers future and contributes to the organization's long-term health.

Conclusion

The Brewers' offseason will significantly shape their 2024 campaign. While losing Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames will undeniably weaken the team, the departures of Eric Lauer and [Player D] represent calculated risks in the pursuit of long-term success. The Brewers' strategic decisions, focused on balancing immediate competitiveness with future sustainability, will ultimately define their success in the coming season.

What are your thoughts on these Brewers 2024 departures? Which players do you think the Brewers will regret losing the most? Join the discussion in the comments below!