Brandon Woodruff Agrees to MLB Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff has officially accepted a one-year qualifying offer from the Milwaukee Brewers, totaling $22.025 million. The decision confirms his return for the 2025 season after a challenging year impacted by injuries. Woodruff is among four players who chose this lucrative single-season option over potential multi-year contracts, following a brief market survey.
Overview of Woodruff’s Career
Brandon Woodruff, a key figure in the Brewers’ pitching lineup, will enter his eighth full season. He is a two-time All-Star who has consistently been one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball. Apart from his rookie season, he has maintained a sub-4.00 ERA in every full season. His career statistics include:
- 3.10 earned runs allowed per nine innings.
- Top five finish in Cy Young voting in 2021.
- A combined 2.82 ERA over 38 starts in the 2022-2023 seasons.
Injury Challenges and Recovery
Woodruff’s recent seasons have been marred by shoulder issues. He missed significant time in 2023 due to shoulder inflammation, ultimately requiring a capsule repair surgery. This injury sidelined him for all of 2024, leading to a one-year arbitration contract that the Brewers declined.
Despite missing an entire season, Woodruff made a strong comeback, arriving back in the rotation during July 2025. Over 12 appearances, he compiled:
- 64.2 innings pitched.
- 3.20 ERA.
- 32.3% strikeout rate.
However, he experienced setbacks, including a moderate lat strain, that limited his effectiveness and availability for the postseason.
Financial Implications
With Woodruff now the second-highest paid player on the Brewers’ roster, following Christian Yelich, the team has significant payroll commitments. Yelich is scheduled to earn $26 million per season for the next three years. The team’s strategy appears to indicate a commitment to retaining veteran talent while assessing other players.
Additionally, the Brewers have $68.525 million already committed, including notable players like Freddy Peralta and Jackson Chourio. With projections suggesting an arbitration class cost of around $32 million, the Brewers are poised for strategic financial management this offseason.
Future Outlook
Woodruff’s acceptance of the qualifying offer means he cannot be traded without his consent until mid-June 2026. The Brewers intend to utilize him as a primary starter, alongside other rotation members, like Freddy Peralta and up-and-coming pitchers, Quinn Priester and Jacob Misiorowski. The team may still explore adding depth through free agency.
As the upcoming season approaches, the Brewers are hopeful that Woodruff will remain healthy and return to his peak performance, solidifying the team’s competitive edge in the MLB.
