Brewers' Arnold named MLB Executive of the Year

Milwaukee Brewers senior vice president and general manager Matt Arnold was named MLB's Executive of the Year for 2024 on Monday.

Arnold is the first Brewers executive to win the award, which was established in 2018. The award was voted on by executives from all 30 teams before the start of the playoffs.

The Brewers were written off in many corners after Arnold traded ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. The trade came a few months after longtime manager Craig Counsell bolted to the division-rival Cubs as a free agent. But the team Arnold constructed defied expectations, going 93-69 - a one-win improvement on 2023 - to win the franchise's seventh division title and third NL Central crown in four seasons.

The team's success in 2024 was largely due to players Arnold acquired last winter, as well as during the season. Third baseman Joey Ortiz, acquired in the Burnes trade, put up a .726 OPS, while fellow rookie Jackson Chourio hit 21 homers after he was signed to an eight-year contract before the season. Another free-agent signing, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, contributed 26 homers to an improved Brewers offense.

The Brewers' pitching staff, built by Arnold, was also among the league's best. Unheralded signings Bryan Hudson and Jared Koenig ended up leading a Brewers bullpen that put up an NL-best 3.11 ERA in 2024 despite All-Star closer Devin Williams missing four months with a back injury.

Arnold, 45, was promoted to GM after the 2020 season and took full control of baseball operations in Milwaukee two years later. He's worked in the Brewers' organization since 2015.

Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo was the runner-up for this year's honor, while Cleveland Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti placed third.