Brewers agree to $9.4 million contract with William Contreras to avoid arbitration

The Milwaukee Brewers have been undergoing some changes this offseason, with the departure of Freddy Peralta the most notable. But, they've also traded away Caleb Durbin and traded for Agel Zerpa in a somewhat surprising deal.

One of their best players, William Contreras, was in a contract dispute with the team over his 2026 contract. Specifically, what the two sides filed for arbitration was a bit off, leaving the potential for a hearing on the table.

But, instead of going to a hearing, Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports the Brewers and Contreras have agreed to a contract for the 2026 season, which features $9.4 million for this season, and more in the future as well.

Brewers agree to $9.4M contract with William Contreras

"William Contreras and Brewers settled, avoiding a hearing," Heyman reports. "Here's the deal: $9,400,000 - 2026. Club option 2027 for $14,500,000. Awards Bonuses."

Instead of going to an arbitration hearing, the two sides, the Brewers and Contreras, agreed to this new contract for the 2026 season, which also includes a $14.5 million option for the 2027 MLB season.

Contreras is under club control through 2027, making that club option one very easy to pick up for Milwaukee if all goes well in 2026.

The two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger catcher is one of the best in the game. He hit .260 last season with a .754 OPS, which, while not the best by his standards, is still a very strong mark for a catcher.

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Since coming to Milwaukee, Contreras has been one of the best catchers in Major League Baseball. He's never put up less than 3.7 bWAR, and has earned MVP votes in 2023 and 2024.

Locking up Contreras for the long haul would be ideal, but the Brewers, with their spending ways, could very easily decide to trade him away next offseason for a king's ransom as they did with Peralta recently.

But, for now, Contreras is locked in for 2026 and on an agreed-upon $9.4 million contract to avoid an arbitration hearing.

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