A full week removed from enduring one of the most painful losses in franchise history, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold acknowledged he is still struggling to cope.
“It’s certainly a lot for us to process," he said, referring to the 4-2, Game 3 gut punch the team took from the New York Mets in the National League wild-card series that ended the Brewers' season as he wrapped up the season with reporters Thursday morning at American Family Field.
"We’re still processing it. I go through waves of emotion, honestly, when we’re talking about it. Sometimes it’s driving in my car or whatever it is (I'm doing)."
Aside from the agonizing ending, 2024 was a season to remember for the Brewers as they won their third NL Central Division title in the last four years going away, finished with 93 wins for their 11th 90-win season overall and generally speaking far exceeded external expectations on almost every possible level.
When asked what stood out to him most in terms of positive, he pointed to the atmosphere inside the ballpark in Games 2 and 3 of the playoffs in particular.
"This building was absolutely electric. That moment stands out for me," Arnold said. "And all the ingredients that have to come together for that to happen – that includes our fans, it includes all of you guys, the ushers in this building, everybody who cared so much. It all came together right there.
"I don’t want to lose that feeling."
Here are some of the highlights of what Arnold had to say about the just-completed season, as well as his take on what's to come.
What about Willy Adames?
It's assumed that the Brewers' star shortstop will be headed to a bigger market and much bigger free-agent contract.
"I think you guys all know how we feel about Willy Adames and what he brings to this team and this building," said Arnold. "Every day he makes that room better in the clubhouse. We all know that. We had opportunities to trade him, and we didn’t because of how much he means to this team and this franchise. It’s not just what he does on the field. It’s who he is.
"Absolutely acknowledge the reality that he’s earned the right to explore the market, and he deserves that certainly. But we love him to death here, and he knows that.”
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Is his replacement at shortstop already on the team?
Brice Turang played a Gold Glove-caliber second base this season and rookie Joey Ortiz wasn't far off at third base.
Is it possible one of those two could slide over and replace Adames? Both players came up through the minor leagues as shortstops.
“I think they certainly can do it," Arnold said. "Both of them have done that at different times. Certainly capable. I think we’ve seen how good they are at their positions this year, but we certainly value versatility, and both those guys are tremendous defenders wherever they are on the field, so I certainly think they’re capable either at short, second or third.”
More: If Willy Adames leaves and Joey Ortiz moves to shortstop, who’s on third for the Brewers?
Will Devin Williams be back?
The Brewers hold a $10.5 million team option on Devin Williams for 2025, his final season before hitting free agency.
But while they chose to keep Adames, the Brewers have previously traded their closer (Josh Hader, at the 2022 deadline) and they also have Trevor Megill, who filled in ably finishing games (team-high 21 saves) the first four months while Williams was sidelined by stress fractures in his back.
"Look, we never want to close the door on anything," said Arnold. "We have to stay open-minded. We're the smallest market in the league, so that's something that's required in the place that we are. But as far as Devin Williams goes, one moment shouldn't define who he is, who we are. This guy was absolutely crushed, just like the rest of us after the season.
"This guy was unbelievable this year, and he's a two-time relief pitcher of the year. I still believe he's the best closer in baseball, and I'm happy to have him."
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What happened to William Contreras?
The Brewers' catcher, who was such a stalwart all season behind the plate, was shown wearing a bulky knee brace in the wild-card series and finished 2 for 12 with two runs batted in. He caught the first two games then served as designated hitter for the third.
“It was a minor knee sprain," he said. "He wanted to be in the lineup and was able to get in the lineup. There was no talking him out of that. Not that we tried to. He was adamant about playing but he was hurt. That just speaks to who he is and the type of player he is.
"He never wants to come out of the lineup.”
How impressive was Jackson Chourio?
What more can be said about the rookie season turned in by outfielder Jackson Chourio?
While it's unlikely he'll be named NL rookie of the year (San Diego's Jackson Merrill and Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes would appear to be the frontrunners), Chourio nevertheless had a dominant debut in the majors and looks like a potential future MVP candidate.
"Unbelievable. Especially with what he dealt with at the start of the season," Arnold said. "He was struggling, as you would expect a young player to struggle. He had a lot of expectations on him from the contract we presented to him. As far as what he was doing in huge moments for us, that was awesome for a young kid at a young age to put the team on his back at times.
"Incredible. His energy when he walks into a room and he’s smiling every day. He’s a lot of fun to have around and I’m excited for what he’s going to do in the future.”
How to summarize Pat Murphy's first season as manager?
Craig Counsell finished as runner-up three times in NL manager of the year award balloting. Might Pat Murphy break through and win it in his first season calling the shots for the Brewers?
"I can’t say enough good things about him," said Arnold. "It would be a crime if he doesn’t win manager of the year. The way he connected with our fans and the staff and our players and how much he cares day to day. His win tonight mentality, his undaunted mentality, all those things – they’re real for us in this building.
"He meant a ton to this franchise and he has for a long time.”
Will Christian Yelich and Brandon Woodruff be ready for spring training?
Woodruff will be roughly 16 months removed from right shoulder surgery, while Yelich underwent a season-ending microdiscectomy procedure in late August.
Arnold was asked if either or both will be fully recovered by the time the team reports to Maryvale in the middle of next February.
"I think both those guys are in incredible mental spots right now," said Arnold. "Starting with Yeli, this guy was really wrestling with going under the knife during the season because he was trying like crazy to get back out there and help the guys. But he's in a great spot. I know he's working his tail off to be there.
"Same thing with Woody. He's throwing off the mound and he's working his tail off to be ready, as well. The progression with a shoulder is sometimes challenging, but I know he's putting in all the work for it and we'll see what it looks like in the spring."
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How might the rotation stack up next season?
We know Freddy Peralta will remain in his role at or near the front of the starting rotation. Rookie Tobias Myers certainly carved a spot out for himself as well with a breakout 2024.
Beyond them, Milwaukee will be considering all options including left-handers Aaron Ashby and DL Hall, both of whom overcame injuries to make positive contributions out of the bullpen down the stretch.
"Both of those guys pitched really well in different roles," Arnold said. "With Ashby, the way the light came on for him in the second half, the same thing with DL Hall, overcoming injuries in the first half, going down and working his tail off and coming back and being on a playoff roster. We saw flashes of brilliance from both of those guys.
"Still working toward what that role is going to look like, but I’m very excited about the future for both of those guys.”
How is Robert Gasser's recovery coming along?
The rookie left-hander made his debut in 2024 and logged a 2.57 ERA in five starts before blowing out his elbow and needing Tommy John surgery.
Gasser elected to have the "traditional" surgery in late June, meaning his timetable for return will be longer than had he chosen the "hybrid" method being utilized more frequently the past few years.
"I think optimistically it could be toward the end of next year," Arnold said of a possible return for the 25-year-old. "It’s tough to say exactly, but I think we’re targeting the end of next year which would be a great boost going into the end of the season.
"It’s hard to tell with any kind of surgery like that’s the timeline we’re thinking with Gasser."
Where does Tyler Black fit?
Tyler Black was another highly touted rookie who made his major-league debut this past season.
His hit tool and his speed are his calling cards, but Black doesn't appear to have a position he can stick at defensively. He moved between first base and DH in his 18-game trial with Milwaukee (.204 average).
"He’s just a really good athlete," Arnold said. "I wouldn’t pigeonhole him necessarily into one position. He’s so athletic. We’ve seen defenders get better, not only at Triple-A but at the major-league level, as well. He touched the outfield this year at Triple-A. He played third base and I thought he got much better at third base, as well. He had some growth at first and did a nice job there, too.
"He’s just a really good athlete with upside at a number of positions for us."
Remember Abner Uribe?
Once expected to be the closer of the future for the Brewers, the hard-throwing righty saw his season with Milwaukee end in early May after he was suspended by MLB for starting a brawl with the Tampa Bay Rays and then demoted to Class AAA Nashville.
Uribe eventually underwent knee surgery that sidelined him for the rest of 2024.
"I saw him in Arizona a couple weeks ago and he was moving around really well," Arnold said of the 24-year-old, who saved three of Milwaukee's first four games of the season. "I know he’s going to have a full offseason and he’ll be ready to go.
"As far as contributions to our team, we saw incredible flashes from him but we also saw a couple of dust-ups from time to time with him, which we all love because we know he’s such a competitor. I see him certainly being a factor for us next year."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'We're still processing it': Brewers GM Matt Arnold wraps up the team's 2024 season
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