Jake Bauers’ future with the Milwaukee Brewers remains unresolved as the first baseman weighs a qualifying offer following a career season and the franchise’s first World Series championship.

The 31-year-old hit .266 with 26 home runs, 86 RBIs, and an .874 OPS in 2026. He also earned NLCS MVP honors during the Brewers’ four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bauers faces a significant financial decision after earning $2.7 million in 2026. His experience at first base and in the outfield gives Milwaukee flexibility as it evaluates its roster for next season.

Foul Territory shared a clip Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, featuring The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal discussing the Brewers’ options during the “Grillin’ Ken” segment of “Fair Territory.”

“The Milwaukee Brewers could use a first baseman. I don't know that they want to pay Jake Bowers 23.15 million, but maybe you work out a longer deal at a lower average salary.”

“He’s finally in position to hit the jackpot.”@Ken_Rosenthal says Jake Bauers could turn his breakout season into a multi-year deal if he rejects the qualifying offer. pic.twitter.com/vXhqQdXwwc

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 5, 2026

Bauers is one of eight players who received qualifying offers before Monday’s deadline. He has until 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on November 17 to accept the one-year, $23.15 million contract.

The amount represents a record for the qualifying offer, which MLB calculates using the average of its 125 highest salaries. Accepting would increase Bauers’ annual pay by $20.45 million compared with his 2026 earnings.

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Declining would leave him free to negotiate with other clubs while preserving the possibility of returning to the Brewers on different terms.

If he signs elsewhere before the next amateur draft, Milwaukee would receive a compensatory draft pick.

Rosenthal’s proposal describes one possible contract structure, not an agreement between the sides or confirmation of ongoing negotiations. The clip does not establish how many years either party would seek or what annual salary would make a deal possible.

As of Thursday, Bauers has not announced his qualifying-offer decision, leaving his next contract and destination unsettled.