Arnold discusses WC loss, Adames' 'right to explore' free agency

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers officials gave themselves precisely one week to process their postseason exit. On Thursday, planning began for 2025.

“We’re starting on meetings this afternoon to assess everything we can do to get better,” general manager Matt Arnold said. “We know it takes a village to get through a long season. We had a ton of contributions up and down the lineup and in our rotation and in the bullpen. Guy after guy had to step up this year.”

There’s much to assess after a season that was at once unique and familiar. For all the new -- a new manager in Pat Murphy and a roster dotted with first- and second-year players including 20-year-old rookie Jackson Chourio and surprise frontline starter Tobias Myers -- there was the familiar sting of a fifth consecutive postseason series loss, followed by the realization that a popular free-agent-to-be -- in this case, shortstop Willy Adames -- may have played his final game in a Brewers uniform.

Arnold and Murphy addressed all of that in separate sessions with the media on Thursday. Here are some highlights:

On regular season success and postseason disappointment:

Arnold: “After [Game 3] we were here until probably 4 o’clock in the morning [doing] a lot of storytelling. We talked about highlights, lowlights of the season. It was a little cathartic just kind of working through our emotions there. When you look at a lot of the peaks we had throughout the season, there’s a lot to be proud of certainly. But with that comes the emotions of wanting to still be playing right now. I think we all feel that.”

Murphy: “I heard a stupid comment the other day. Someone says, ‘The Brewers have got the regular season figured out. Now they’ve got to figure out the playoffs.’ That's absurd that you'd say that if you really know baseball. We don't have the regular season figured out. It's a grind every freaking year to get to be where [the Brewers] have been. And I've watched it, I've felt it, because we are working with less, because we are in a position where we have to maneuver. It isn't a matter of, ‘Well, the Brewers are just always good.’ That is a fact, but it's a different type of rebuild almost every year -- not a total rebuild. That's a credit to the front office and their team and all that goes into putting together the team next year, knowing that, for instance, we're not going to sign Willy Adams, and we've got to do other things to get under budget because everybody gets paid more every year the better they play. For me, to say we have the regular season ‘figured out?’ It’s an embarrassment that you'd even think that way. …

“We could have easily taken the next step, and we could have easily been in the same position that any of these other teams [still playing] are in right now. It's not a matter of being good enough, making the right call and all that kind of stuff. A lot of it just happens at this time of year in baseball, you know? You’re not going to say the Phillies aren't any good. Like, it's ridiculous. … Getting through these games, a lot has to go your way and a lot has to happen. That's our game.”

On being open with fans that Adames will be difficult to re-sign:

Arnold: “We always want to be open and honest as much as we can here. I think you guys all know how we feel about Willy Adames and what he brings to this team and this building. Every day he makes that room better in the clubhouse. We had opportunities to trade him, and we didn’t because of how much he means to this team and this franchise. But we absolutely acknowledge the reality that he’s earned the right to explore the market.”

On whether the TV situation will impact payroll:

Arnold: “I don't know. I'm not involved with the TV situation. I will tell you that we've continued to have incredible support from our ownership. Mark Attanasio and his family have done a fantastic job supporting us for many years, and I expect that to continue.”

On whether the coaching staff will see any changes:

Murphy: “We're talking about that right now. You know, when you have a managerial change and then you basically just keep everyone -- we added a guy or two here and there -- but you don't really know how it's all going to go. I think we'll discuss all that at length. I've made a ton of notes and we'll get to that. But they deserve a lot of credit. Dealing with me and my first year, and knowing me in a different role and then having me move across the hall [to the manager’s office], I appreciate them.”

On William Contreras’ injury in the Wild Card Series:

Arnold: “It was a minor knee sprain. 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.”

Murphy: “I think William Contreras grew this year, although he didn't finish the way he wanted to. He’s still one of the top catchers but he's got a ways to go and he can be really, really special.”

On expectations for Christian Yelich and Brandon Woodruff coming off injuries:

Arnold: "I think both those guys are in incredible mental spots right now. 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."