General manager Matt Arnold on the Brewers playoff history, MVPs and celebrations
Milwaukee Brewers General Manager Matt Arnold on the Brewers playoff history, MVPs and celebrations. Arnold was interviewed after the Brewers beat the Cubs, 3-1, to advance to the NLCS
Matt Arnold, chief architect of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ unprecedented run of recent success, has been promoted.
The 46-year-old is now president of baseball operations and general manager, the team announced on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Arnold joined the Brewers in October 2015 as vice president and assistant general manager, was promoted to senior vice president and assistant general manager in June 2019 and again to senior vice president and general manager in November 2020.
He has been the top decision maker on the baseball side of the organization since David Stearns moved into an advisory role in October 2022. Stearns left for the New York Mets late in the 2023 season.
“Since joining our organization in 2015, Matt Arnold has been instrumental in developing a culture and process that has led to seven postseason appearances over the past eight seasons,” principal owner Mark Attanasio said in a statement. “Matt has been at the center of our success, guiding a talented baseball operations group that is respected and admired throughout the industry.
“Coming off three straight Central Division titles and advancing to the NLCS this year, we are proud of what Matt has accomplished and even more excited for what the future holds under his leadership.”
Asked whether his contract had been extended in concert with the promotion at the team’s season wrap-up news conference at American Family Field on Thursday afternoon, Arnold deferred.
“I’m not going to talk about any of the contractual stuff,” he said.
In the 10 years Arnold has been with Milwaukee, the Brewers have posted the fifth-best record in the major leagues and second-best record in the National League at 836-683 (a .550 winning percentage). They have also advanced to the postseason seven times – 2018-2021, 2023-2025 – and won five NL Central titles (2018, 2021, 2023-2025).
In addition, the Brewers have won at least 92 games in each of Arnold’s three seasons overseeing baseball operations, including a franchise-record 97 victories in 2025.
Arnold was named 2024 MLB executive of the year as voted on by executives from all 30 clubs, becoming the first Brewers executive to be so honored, and figures to be a heavy favorite to repeat this year based on the team’s improbable run to the best record in baseball.
Earlier Thursday, Arnold was named MLB executive of the year by The Sporting News for the second straight time.
Among the key moves overseen by Arnold that helped set the stage for this season’s successes were the trades for right-hander Quinn Priester, first baseman Andrew Vaughn and third baseman Caleb Durbin – who’d have guessed Durbin would have the best season among himself, Nestor Cortes and Devin Williams? – and the spring-training signing of left-hander José Quintana.
“I am humbled and honored to be a part of what we have built in Milwaukee,” Arnold said in the statement. “This is a truly a team effort, led by the great support from ownership to the tremendous contributions of our baseball operations department, field staff and all of the outstanding players in the organization over the years.
“I look forward to continuing to work tirelessly to build upon what we have accomplished.”
Arnold was asked if his role would change in any way moving forward.
“It’s not going to change materially,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve never really been focused on titles at all. It’s just something where you keep your eyes down and work hard and good things will happen. Obviously, thankful to a ton of people here, including (Murphy) and our ownership group.
“Too many people to thank. But especially the guys that I work with every single day (assistant general managers Matt Kleine, Karl Mueller, Will Hudgins, executive advisor to the GM Matt Klentak among others). They’re really impactful in my life and they’re some of my best friends, too.
“It’s a great situation. I’m proud to be here in Milwaukee.”
Arnold is in his 25th season in professional baseball, having also worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2000), Texas Rangers (2002) and Cincinnati Reds (2003-06) before beginning a nine-year run with the Tampa Bay Rays (2007-15) that culminated in the role of director of player personnel.
One of the next potential moves on Arnold’s to-do list? Perhaps an extension for manager Murphy, whose current contract is up after the 2026 season.
He will also need to determine the best course of action regarding right-hander Freddy Peralta, who has a final team option for 2026 before becoming a free agent.