The team's Opening Day payroll this year projects to be less than $95M, a payroll cut of 24%GETTY IMAGES
Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio during his annual press conference did not hesitate to say the team experienced an "operating loss last year," according to Tom Haudricourt of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The Brewers' finances have been a "subject for discussion on social media over the offseason as it became evident the team payroll was coming down" from '19, when the Opening Day payroll was a franchise high of about $125M. This season, the Brewers' Opening Day payroll "projects to be less than" $95M, which would represent a payroll cut of 24%. Asked what he would tell fans worried that the team will fare poorly after reducing player costs, Attanasio said to "trust the process." He added, "It doesn’t mean there’s not capital available at midseason to support the team if we’re in position" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/19). Attanasio said that the Brewers are "down from last season’s franchise-record" payroll because President of Baseball Operations & GM David Stearns "didn’t find any splashy free agent fits, instead preferring to rely on depth." Attanasio also said that the team's success during his ownership tenure was "evidence" that the "budget-conscious, but not budget-driven, approach has worked" (AP, 2/19).
EARLY ARRIVALS: The JOURNAL-SENTINEL's Haudricourt noted the Brewers "put more than" $60M into renovating and expanding their Spring Training complex into a "beautiful state-of-the-art facility." Because of this, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that position players could not "wait to get there" this season. Counsell: "Our complex has changed the nature of that question (of reporting early). ... The value we think we’re getting out of it. It’s really been situations like that. It’s been outstanding" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/17).
DRINK UP: In Milwaukee, Williams & Naczek noted the Brewers last week "agreed to a multiyear extension" with Molson Coors Brewing and its "Miller" brand. The extension includes the company "sponsoring the team's new seating area in left center field at Miller Park." The "Miller Lite Landing will include three rows of seating with tables, a viewing deck space, flat screen TVs and a seven-foot tall Brewers logo made of Miller Lite cans." The Brewers said that the former Miller Lite Deck will be "rebranded and named the Leinie Lodge." Williams & Naczek noted as part of the extended partnership, Molson Coors also is "branding a new bar -- the Terrapin Beer Company bar -- on the field level near the right-field corner" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/13).
