With money to spend, will the Milwaukee Brewers make a big splash in free agency?

Are the Milwaukee Brewers prepared to make a big financial splash on the free agent market this winter?

There already has been speculation that the Brewers might do exactly that, so I posed that question Friday to Brewers general manager David Stearns. I knew he would have to be guarded with his response at this point but he certainly didn't dismiss the notion.

"We are always open to exploring potential free agent acquisitions," Stearns said. "I am confident that our ownership will continue to support us should we see attractive investments. 

"At this point, we just have to wait and see how the market shakes out."

The Brewers began the 2017 season with an actual player payroll below $60 million, which ranked at or near the bottom of the 30 big-league clubs. It dropped to that level after the jettisoning of most of their veteran players at the outset of their large-scale rebuilding plan.

But, after a surprising 86-76 finish in 2017, leaving them one game out of the NL's second wild-card berth, the Brewers might be inclined to spend some money on the free-agent market to continue to move their process forward. And their most obvious need for next year is starting pitching, especially with Jimmy Nelson slated to begin the season on the DL following shoulder surgery.

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It doesn't hurt that a $12.5 million salary came off the books when Matt Garza's four-year, $50 million contract expired. But that deal also showed the risks of investing in free-agent pitching after Garza's disappointing showing (26-39, 4.65 ERA over four injury-riddled seasons).

The Brewers have just one big contract on their books at present with left fielder Ryan Braun. He has three years and $57 million remaining on a five-year, $105 million extension signed way back in 2011. But the Brewers have internal payroll hikes to consider, including seven players still arbitration-eligible, and want to be good for years to come, not just 2017, so they aren't in go-for-broke, win-now mode.

The Brewers already have spent some money this offseason. They gave pitcher Chase Anderson a two-year deal with two club options worth at least $11.75 million with a maximum of more than $30 million. And they kept valuable utility infielder Eric Sogard off the free-agent market with a $2.4 million deal.

One baseball website, mlbtraderumors.com, speculated the Brewers might be willing to give four years and $100 million to Cubs free agent pitcher Jake Arrieta, the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2015 who turns 32 in March. Arrieta hasn't been that good since and presents a risk at his age but is still considered one of the top starters on the market.

There are other free agent starting pitchers who would command sizable dollars, such as Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn and CC Sabathia, but I'm not so sure the Brewers are ready to break the bank on an aging starter at this point. Stearns' modus operandi has been to acquire players under control for a few years who still have upside.

There also has been speculation as to whether the Brewers will try to re-sign free agents Anthony Swarzak and Neil Walker, the veteran reliever and second baseman who were acquired for the playoff push in 2017 and performed well. Swarzak, 32, is coming off a career year (2.33 ERA in 70 games with the White Sox and Brewers), and said at the end of the season he had keen interest in returning. He likely will want at least a two-year deal, however.

Walker, also 32, was an asset on and off the field but said he wanted to explore the market in his first foray into free agency. He made $17.2 million last year after accepting a free-agent qualifying offer from the Mets and won't get that kind of annual salary again but would want a multi-year deal. 

Asked about his level of interest in re-signing either Swarzak or Walker, Stearns said, "As with all free agents, I'll avoid talking about specifics other than to say that we certainly appreciate what Anthony and Neil contributed to our team this year. Once free agency begins, it's tough to predict how things will shake out."

So, as the Houston Astros hold their victory parade Friday for winning the World Series, it's fun to begin speculating how free agency will shake out, especially for the Brewers.

Let the hot stove season begin.