The Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up for a crucial postseason after winning the National League Central in 2024, but with the offseason quickly approaching, some key decisions loom. In an interview with Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio shed light on some of the team’s upcoming challenges, particularly concerning payroll flexibility and the potential departure of star shortstop Willy Adames.
Despite a strong season, Attanasio hinted that the Brewers’ financial situation might not be as promising as fans would hope. While increased ticket sales and strong TV ratings have boosted revenue, it may be offset by a decrease in revenue sharing. He emphasized that Milwaukee’s share of the pie decreases as their own revenue grows, making it difficult to project major payroll increases.
“We have a budget every year,” Attanasio said. “Revenue isn’t just ticket revenue. It includes beverage sales and sponsorships, all of which have been strong. However, we receive less revenue sharing the more we earn, and that impacts the overall budget.”
Another major factor impacting the team’s finances is the uncertainty around TV revenue. The Brewers’ current deal with Diamond Sports Group, which operates Bally Sports, is set to expire after the 2024 season, creating uncertainty for the 2025 campaign. Diamond Sports filed for bankruptcy earlier in the year, and several teams have already been impacted by renegotiated contracts or dropped coverage. Milwaukee may be next.
This revenue uncertainty could impact the Brewers’ ability to retain key players, including Adames, whose future with the team looks uncertain. Attanasio was candid about the financial challenges of keeping the talented shortstop, stating, “He’s going to get an enormous free-agent contract, and I’m very happy for him and his family. But there are a lot of deeper pockets out there.”
Adames has had a solid bounce-back season, hitting 32 home runs and stealing 21 bases. Even with some defensive struggles, he remains a highly valuable asset heading into free agency. Comparisons to deals signed by shortstops Dansby Swanson, Javier Báez, and Trevor Story indicate Adames could command a contract in the $140-177 million range, well beyond what Milwaukee traditionally spends.
The Brewers have only once given out a deal of that magnitude—Christian Yelich’s $188.5 million extension. Apart from that, their largest contract remains Ryan Braun’s $105 million deal from 2011. Given these factors, the odds of Adames returning to Milwaukee appear slim. The team is likely to extend a qualifying offer, which he is expected to reject, securing the Brewers some compensation.
In the event Adames departs, the Brewers do have in-house options to cover the shortstop position, with Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz both emerging as candidates. However, this would create new holes at other infield positions, potentially requiring further internal adjustments or offseason moves.
While the Brewers remain focused on the postseason, the looming offseason presents many challenges. A deep playoff run could bring in additional revenue, potentially altering the team’s financial outlook and allowing them to be more aggressive in the offseason market. For now, though, the future of key players like Adames remains uncertain, with the team’s budgetary constraints hanging over potential roster moves.
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