Milwaukee Brewers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) agreed to an undisclosed two-year deal on Monday. The Brewers non-tendered Woodruff this offseason after he had surgery to fix the anterior capsule in his right shoulder, but the 31-year-old veteran will now be back in Milwaukee. Because of his injury, he won't pitch at all in 2024 and therefore will be off the fantasy radar in all single-year leagues. It remains to be seen if Woodruff will return ace value for fantasy managers when he returns in 2025. The two-time All-Star had a career-best 2.28 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 15 walks and 74 strikeouts in 11 starts (67 innings) last year before getting hurt, and he owns a strong career ERA of 3.10 with a 1.04 WHIP and 788 K's in 680 1/3 major-league innings over seven seasons for the Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick has been working out at second and third base this offseason under the tutelage of former big-league second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Frelick rated as an above-average defender in both right and center field in his rookie season in 2023, but he's adding to his versatility in camp. The arrival of top prospect Jackson Chourio and the return of Garrett Mitchell, who missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, give the Brew Crew a surplus of outfielders. If Milwaukee likes what they see from Frelick on the infield, he could become a possibility for them at the hot corner or at the keystone in 2024. The 23-year-old former first-rounder would greatly increase his fantasy value by adding to his positional eligibility, but it remains to be seen if that will actually happen. Despite underwhelming at the plate in 2023, Frelick has great plate discipline and could serve as a high-average leadoff man for fantasy managers.

Catcher Gary Sanchez has not reported to spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers this week, and there's no expectation right now as to when/if a deal will officially get done. The Brewers are not commenting on the matter, so the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak is guessing that negotiations/examinations are ongoing. The 31-year-old reportedly inked a one-year, $7 million deal, but it hasn't become official just yet. If he does eventually sign, Sanchez is expected to see at-bats at designated hitter and as the backup behind the dish to William Contreras. The Dominican slugger surprised with the Padres in 2023 and had 19 home runs and 46 RBI in 72 games while hitting just .218 (51-for-234). Sanchez isn't going to hit for average, but he won't be a bad source of power as a No. 2 backstop in two-catcher leagues.

Both Toronto Blue Jays pitchers Mitch White and Bowden Francis are being built up as starters in spring training. Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez is also coming to camp as a starter, but he needs more time to get extended after not pitching at all in affiliated ball in 2023. The 29-year-old White could have an edge on the team's final roster spot in either a starting or relief role, but a spot in the bullpen is more likely. The main reason that White could break camp with the team this spring is that he's out of minor-league options. Most likely, he'll be a swing man in 2024. Francis, 27, has been mostly a starter in the minors, but all 21 of his big-league outings have come out of the bullpen. He's been great in 37 MLB relief innings, too, posting a 1.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, so he could become an intriguing AL-only streamer if he's making starts for Toronto in 2024.

The Toronto Star's Gregor Chisholm projects that right-hander Mitch White will break camp with the last spot in the bullpen to start the 2024 regular season. White is out of minor-league options and can't be sent down without having to clear waivers. Right-hander Jordan Romano is the clear closing option, while Chad Green, Tim Mayza, Erik Swanson, Yimi Garcia, Genesis Cabrera and Trevor Richards should also have spots in the Opening Day bullpen in Toronto. White may open the year on the big-league roster, but he's going to need to pitch better to stay there once the season kicks off. The 29-year-old had a career-worst 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with seven walks and 13 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 10 appearances in relief in the majors in 2023. He's off the fantasy radar.