NL Central: A midseason 2022 front office assessment
By Bill Felber
Milwaukee Brewers front office, +3.2
In their second season as a team, Stearns and Arnold have improved the team’s talent base. Ironically, several of their most important moves involved players they dumped or let walk as opposed to those they acquired.
Since the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Brewers front office has made 29 personnel moves involving a major league player. Eleven of those moves have thus far worked out to Milwaukee’s benefit, 12 produced negative value, and the final six were neutral.
Here are the five most significant.
Dec. 1: The team’s one-year flirtation with defensive outfield whiz Jackie Bradley Jr. ended with Bradley’s inclusion in a four-player that landed Hunter Renfroe. Those have turned out to be the first and fourth most impactful moves of the season to date. In Boston, Bradley showed the same offensive problems he had previously displayed, batting .211 with one home run, a .572 OPA and a -1.3 WAA. Renfroe, meanwhile, has delivered punch. Beyond his .247 batting average are 13 home runs, a .789 OPS and a +0.8 OPS.
Nov. 5: When Avisail Garcia’s contract expired, the Brewers lost him to free agency, which turned out to be a good thing. Garcia signed a four-year deal in December with the Miami Marlins, but he is batting just .232 with a .602 OPS and a -1.3 WAA. Renfroe has been a more than competent substitute.
Nov. 3: Journeyman Daniel Norris landed in Milwaukee at last season’s trade deadline, pitched poorly and was allowed to escape to free agency. The Cubs signed Norris in March, but his line hasn’t improved. He’s 0-4 with a 7.24 ERA in 24 appearances, good for a -1.1 WAA.
March 13: The Brewers gave reliever Brad Boxberger his free agency at season’s end. But when no suitors lined up for him following the lockout, Stearns and Arnold re-signed him for two seasons. Serving as third ace of the pen, Boxberger has produced a 3-1 record and 1.99 ERA in 32 appearances, good for a +0.7 WAA.