Hitters the Milwaukee Brewers could retain, extend or trade

Despite finishing 92-70 and winning the National League Central by nine games, the Milwaukee Brewers were bad on offense in 2023. They were so bad, in fact, that they didn't finish in the top half of MLB in batting average (.240, 23rd), on-base percentage (.319, 17th),  slugging percentage (.385, 25th) or home runs (165, T-24th).

Both their managerial situation and pitching rotation, the latter arguably Milwaukee's greatest strength, are in a state of flux. That doesn't mean, however, the Brewers can just ignore the glaring holes on offense.

So of their healthy pending free-agent and contracted hitters, who could the Brewers retain or extend as we look ahead to 2024? And if things don't go according to plan, who could find themselves on the trade block? Here are the candidates.

1B Carlos Santana: free agent

One of the two important bats to arrive before the trade deadline, Santana provided a much-needed boost, slashing .249/.314/.459 with 11 home runs across 52 games. He'll be 38 in April, though, and it's difficult to see Milwaukee bringing him back on anything more than a team-friendly one-year deal.

At the same time, filling the Santana void may not be at the top of their priority list.

OF Mark Canha: club option for 2024 ($11.5M)

Canha was the other hitter who made his way to Milwaukee before the trade deadline, and he didn't disappoint. Slashing .287/.373/.427 with five home runs in 50 games, he was a revelation. And while they're certainly not light on outfielders, the Brewers are definitely light on good-hitting ones.

With 1,044 plate appearances among them, Joey Wiemer, Tyrone Taylor, Sal Frelick and Blake Perkins slashed only .225/.304/.377 with 30 home runs. A healthy Garrett Mitchell should provide a boost, but the Brewers will struggle if those bats don't come around.

Shortstop Willy Adames: free agent in 2025

Adames has been vocal about wanting to stay in Milwaukee, even if on the surface his .242/.319/.454 slash line since arriving in 2021 may not excite many Brewers fans. That said, he led the team in home runs in 2023 and was the only batter to slug 20 or more (24). He also finished third in slugging percentage (.407) on the team, behind only William Contreras (.459) and Christian Yelich (.447).

Adames, who just recently turned 28, made $8.7M in 2023 and has one more year of arbitration before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Whether or not an extension is on the table, he is one of only three players on the roster who is a consistent power threat. He also provides plus defense at a premium position.

Left fielder Christian Yelich: Under contract through 2028, mutual option for 2029 ($20M)

After winning NL MVP in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2019, Yelich fell off the face of the Earth, slashing .243/.358/.388 over the next three seasons. He continued getting on base at a respectable clip, but his power had been zapped. After slugging 38 home runs in 2018 and 44 the following year, he hit just 35 combined between 2020-22.

Despite battling consistent back issues, Yelich rediscovered his power in 2023 as he slashed his way to a .278/.370/.447 line. He also had 34 doubles and 19 home runs.

Still under contract through 2028, it's difficult to imagine the Brewers moving him, especially as he's one of only a few recognizable bats in the lineup. But if they're looking to get something of value for the former MVP before it's too late, his 2023 campaign may have made that possible.