Brewers: They aspire to the World Series regardless of money, they claim

Brewers Confident in Competing for Championship Despite Loss

Despite the decisive defeat in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Milwaukee Brewers maintain confidence in their ability to compete for a spot in the World Series, even playing in the smallest market in Major League Baseball. Milwaukee, which recorded the best regular season record with 97-65, setting a franchise wins record, defeated the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series before being swept by the Dodgers, the current World Series champions, in the Championship Series. The Dodgers invested a record $509.5 million in payroll and luxury taxes this year. Their projected luxury tax bill of nearly $168 million surpassed the entire payroll of Milwaukee, which was $124.8 million.

“It’s not our job to think about the economics of the sport,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said Thursday. “That’s above all of us. In our situation, what are we going to do about it? That’s really where I’m coming from.”

Matt Arnold

Arnold added: “We are going to have the resources we need. We have the support of our owners to put a quality product on the field. There are many small market teams that can’t say that, and we can. And there are also many teams that spent a lot of money and didn’t make it. I don’t think it’s just about money.”

The Brewers, who had the best MLB record during the regular season, claim they can continue to compete for World Series spots by playing in the smallest market. On Thursday, the Brewers announced that Arnold had received a promotion that included the title of president of baseball operations. Arnold, who has been overseeing Milwaukee’s baseball operations since October 2022, did not want to confirm whether the promotion included a contract extension. The Brewers have won three consecutive National League Central Division titles since Arnold took over, but the franchise is still seeking its first World Series championship. Their only World Series appearance was in 1982. After having a 6-0 record against the Dodgers in the regular season, Milwaukee only scored one run in each of the four losses of the Championship Series.

“I felt we didn’t give our best in that series, and I think it would have made some difference, but the Dodgers were at their best,” said manager Pat Murphy. “And you know when a team is at its best.”

Pat Murphy

Murphy noted that the Brewers were emotionally exhausted after their five-game series against the Cubs. Meanwhile, the Dodgers were in top form. Murphy cited the dominance of the Dodgers’ starting pitchers, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani. It was also noted that the Brewers did not have much rest before the Championship Series, as their National League Division Series went to five games. Milwaukee has some health concerns heading into the offseason. Third baseman Caleb Durbin will undergo arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, but is expected to be ready for spring training. Catcher William Contreras will consult a hand specialist for the fractured left middle finger that bothered him for much of the season. The Brewers also have some roster decisions to make. Two-time All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta has an $8 million club option for 2026 and could then be eligible for free agency.