In recent years, the Milwaukee Brewers have traded away star players before they hit the open market, often eliciting a confusing reaction from most baseball fans.
However, it's those same fans who are shocked when the Brewers find themselves back atop the National League Central and in contention for a World Series. The Brewers formula is proving to work now better than ever, as they have the best record in baseball in the last two years and are two wins away from a championship.
If they win it all, the big question will be how strictly they stick to their formula. Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams and Josh Hader were all traded with one eye on the future, and about a year before they hit the open market. After this year, the two Brewers' stars in the same situation are William Contreras and Trevor Megill.
An All-Star closer and an All-Star catcher who may be the best in baseball are sure to cost a fortune, at a price tag the Brewers won't like. However, this World Series run could change things slightly in Milwaukee.
"The Brewers believe they will have more money at their disposal after the World Series run, according to people who were familiar with the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly because the tally of the revenue had not been finalized. That could create more flexibility in spending on player salaries," wrote The Athletic's Andy McCullough and Will Sammon. "But a significant deviation from the organization’s roster-building model is unlikely, especially as the baseball operations department readies itself for whatever rule changes take place after the expiration of the current labor agreement Dec. 1."
The Brewers are not going to turn into the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets overnight. However, they may be more open to making an exception to their rules for Contreras and Megill. Megill is very replaceable, especially with Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby in-house. However, they would be losing a big part of their clubhouse.
Contreras is borderline irreplaceable with anyone in the organization right now, both on the field and in the clubhouse. The team made an exception for Willy Adames by not trading him when they felt he was integral to their culture and they did not have a replacement ready. Contreras could draw the same treatment, especially if the Brewers have some more money to play with.