Milwaukee’s starting rotation could see changes next season as right-handed pitchers Frankie Montas and Colin Rea are both set to become free agents.
On Monday, the Brewers revealed that Montas had declined his half of a $20 million mutual option for 2025. Meanwhile, Milwaukee opted not to exercise the $5.5 million club option on Rea’s contract.
Montas will receive a $2 million buyout, while Rea will get $1 million.
Additionally, on Monday, the New York Mets claimed right-hander Kevin Herget off waivers, and the Chicago Cubs claimed left-hander Rob Zastryzny.
First baseman Jake Bauers and right-hander Bryse Wilson both cleared waivers and have been assigned outright to Triple-A Nashville.
The Brewers also extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to shortstop Willy Adames. If Adames accepts, he will remain with Milwaukee for another season. If he declines and signs with another team, the Brewers will receive at least one draft pick as compensation.
Montas, 31, finished the season with a 7-11 record, a 4.84 ERA, and 148 strikeouts over 150 2/3 innings in 30 starts, split between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brewers. He was 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts for Milwaukee after being acquired just before the trade deadline.
Rea, 34, had a record of 12-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 32 appearances, including 27 starts, striking out 135 batters in 167 2/3 innings. He struggled in September with an 8.31 ERA and was not included on the Brewers’ NL Wild Card Series roster.
Herget, 33, did not record a win with Milwaukee but had one save and a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances. He was 5-1 with four saves and a 2.27 ERA in 38 relief outings at Triple-A Nashville.
Zastryzny, 32, went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in nine appearances for the Brewers and had a 4-0 record with a 3.03 ERA in 30 outings for Nashville.
Bauers, 29, had a batting average of .199 with a .301 on-base percentage, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 43 runs over 116 games. He notably hit a crucial seventh-inning home run in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Mets, although the Brewers ultimately lost that game 4-2 following a Mets rally in the ninth.
Wilson, who turns 27 on December 20, posted a 5-4 record with a 4.04 ERA in 34 appearances, including nine starts.
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