Brandon Woodruff, the Brewers’ stalwart right-hander, has decided to accept the team’s qualifying offer and return to Milwaukee for the 2026 season. The one‐year deal is valued at approximately $22.025 million.
This may not seem like a massive long‐term commitment, but for a pitcher coming off shoulder surgery and a late-season lat strain, and for a franchise determined to remain competitive, the decision carries significant weight.
“For me, it became clear pretty early on,” Woodruff said. “It was an easy decision to take the qualifying offer, which I was extremely happy to do, and come back to somewhere I’m extremely comfortable. I’m pumped up.”
Why It Was the “Easy Decision”
Woodruff had twelve days after receiving the qualifying offer to measure the market and consider his future. What tipped him over the edge: comfort and confidence.
“Come on, that’s a large [salary] number and it’s a place where I’m comfortable and I love,” Woodruff said. “Also, I took it as they really wanted me here. I know the ramifications of offering one year and $22 [million] to a pitcher in the Brewers organization. That has never happened, so I don’t take that lightly.
“So when they extended that to me, I took it as a signal that, yes, they were serious about winning and wanting to move forward with me and had confidence in my abilities. That was all I needed to see from them. … Ultimately, it was a pretty easy decision when we broke everything down.”
The signal was clear from Milwaukee’s front office: they wanted him, they believed in him, and they were willing to invest accordingly. For Woodruff, that matters as much as the dollar figure.
Woodruff’s decision was not just about loyalty or money–health loomed large. He underwent right shoulder surgery two years ago and then a right lat strain cut his season short. In his own words, he feels good:
“I’m two years post-surgery, and the surgery isn’t really a thought,” Woodruff said. “I’m able to go through my program and have a good workout and feel good. I haven’t had that in a couple of years. That’s going to be massive for me going forward. I’m just currently in the middle of my workouts and ramping up to start throwing here in a week or a couple of weeks here.”
He has yet to throw off a mound, which is standard for this time of year, but the optimism is palpable. For Milwaukee, a healthy Woodruff means stability at the front of their rotation.
What It Means for the Brewers
From the team’s perspective, securing Woodruff keeps one of their most dependable arms in the mix. He is the only remaining player from the 2017 Brewers team that kick-started the franchise’s current stretch of success.
“As a player, you dream of getting to free agency,” Woodruff said. “And let me tell you what–free agency is just a fancy word for saying you don’t have a job. It’s not the same for everybody. I’m lucky and blessed to be able to come back to Milwaukee. I think that frees me up to just go play baseball.”
That kind of continuity helps in the clubhouse and on the field. The Brewers are signalling they’re still in “win now” mode, trusting their core and building around known commodities rather than gambling entirely on unproven pieces. Woodruff’s return dovetails with that strategy.
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