The Milwaukee Brewers and catcher William Contreras sidestepped another arbitration hearing by agreeing to a one-year contract for 2026, with a club option for 2027. The team didn’t share the official terms, but reports say Contreras will get $9.4 million in 2026, and there’s a $14.5 million option for 2027.
That 2027 option could turn into a mutual option if Contreras finishes in the top four of MVP voting. This deal keeps Contreras’ pattern alive—he’s reached agreements right before arbitration two years in a row now.
It also adds another wrinkle to how Milwaukee manages its catchers and payroll. There’s an interesting balance here: Contreras gets some financial certainty, but both he and the Brewers keep some flexibility for the future.
The MVP clause is a clever touch. If Contreras plays at an elite level, he gets the chance to test free agency, while the Brewers get rewarded if he sticks around. That’s a win-win, at least on paper.
Key details: Contreras is set for $9.4 million in 2026. The 2027 club option is $14.5 million, but if he’s a top-four MVP finisher, it becomes a mutual option and he could walk.
That setup keeps Contreras motivated for a big season, and it gives the Brewers a reason to keep him if he keeps producing. ESPN reported these numbers as the core of the agreement.
Earlier this offseason, Contreras wanted $9.9 million in arbitration. The Brewers offered $8.55 million.
That negotiation dance looks a lot like last year, when they settled before arbitration. Last year’s deal had a $12 million option for 2026, which the Brewers declined.
This new contract shows Milwaukee values Contreras, but they’re still watching long-term costs in case his performance changes.
Deal overview and implications
Financial terms and MVP-option mechanics
Performance track record and value to Milwaukee
Contreras, 28, played 150 games in 2025 and hit .260 with a .355 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, and 76 RBIs. He even played through a fractured finger, which says a lot about his toughness and willingness to grind through pain.
His 2025 numbers dipped from his 2024 peak, but he still gave Milwaukee a solid bat in the middle of the order. He’s also a catcher who can handle framing, game-calling, and leadership behind the plate.
Contreras has a pair of back-to-back Silver Slugger awards with the Brewers, showing he can mix power and average when he’s healthy. In 2024, he hit .281 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs, earning All-Star honors.
In 2023, he posted a .289 average with 17 home runs and 78 RBIs, keeping up his steady offensive presence. He was an All-Star in 2024 and also back in 2022, when he played for the Atlanta Braves.
That track record helps explain why Milwaukee wanted to lock him in, even as they juggle payroll and upside.
The Brewers picked up Contreras and reliever Joel Payamps in December 2022 in a three-team trade that sent Esteury Ruiz out of Milwaukee. Since then, Contreras has become a veteran presence behind the plate and a steady force in the lineup.
He’s contributed on both sides of the ball as the Brewers have battled through the NL Central. Even with a slight dip in 2025, Contreras’ blend of on-base skills, durability, and power still makes him a key piece for Milwaukee’s catching group.
Roster context and long-term considerations
Milwaukee’s choice to skip arbitration and secure a 2027 option—possibly mutual—shows how the front office wants to build around a young, flexible core. Tying that future option to MVP voting connects potential savings directly to standout performance.
The team keeps the option to reassess Contreras’ value if his career takes off or levels out, which just seems smart in today’s unpredictable market.
Contreras gets some financial peace of mind right now, plus a shot at free agency if he ends up among the league’s elite in MVP voting. Milwaukee, meanwhile, holds onto a key catcher at a manageable cost, all while juggling extensions, trades, or roster tweaks in a tough division.
- 2026 salary: approximately $9.4 million
- 2027 option: $14.5 million, converts to mutual if MVP top four finish
- Arbitration history: continued a pattern of pre-hearing settlements
- Career context: All-Star appearances, Silver Slugger honors, and a strong 2024 season
Contreras stays right at the heart of Milwaukee’s lineup, bringing both steady production and a bit of leadership as the Brewers battle in a loaded NL Central. It’ll be interesting to see if this deal shapes any late off-season moves or tweaks to the catching depth behind him heading into 2026 and beyond.
Here is the source article for this story: Brewers, Contreras avoid arbitration with deal
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