Brewers finalize William Contreras' 2027 salary thanks to savvy 2026 contract decision

In each of the last two years, the Milwaukee Brewers and All-Star catcher William Contreras have failed to reach a salary agreement before the first arbitration deadline. However, on both occasions, the two sides have come to an agreement before engaging in an arbitration hearing, which have been known to get heated from time to time.

In both of their contract negotiations over the last two years, the Brewers have conceded a higher salary for the upcoming campaign in exchange for a club option for the following season. For example, in January of 2025, the Brewers agreed to give Contreras a $6 million salary for the 2025 season, so long as Contreras's representation granted the club a $12 million option for the 2026 season. The club option protected the Brewers from having to pay a lofty salary in Contreras' second year of arbitration if he put together an outstanding 2025 season. See, arbitration salaries are determined by performance, so if Contreras had, say, won the MVP in 2025, his salary in 2026 would have exceeded the $12 million club option, meaning the Brewers would have saved money by exercising the option.

While Contreras impressed during the 2025 season, his performance didn't earn him that big of a raise in the arbitration process. As a result, the Brewers declined the $12 million club option and instead signed Contreras to a $9.4 million deal. However, once again, the Brewers tacked on a club option, this time worth $15.5 million, to the contract, protecting them from Contreras earning a sizable raise in his final year of arbitration.

Now, that savvy, forward-thinking move is paying off. On the heels of another All-Star season in which Contreras won the World Series MVP award, the Brewers catcher was due for a big salary jump in the arbitration system, one that likely would have resulted in a salary greater than $15.5 million. As a result, the Brewers elected to pick up Contreras' $15.5 million club option, knowing it will likely save them money in 2027. Therefore, after two years of arbitration negotiations, Contreras' 2027 salary is already set in stone: $15.5 million -- $6.1 million more than his 2026 contribution to the Brewers' payroll.

Brewers accept William Contreras' $15.5 million club option for 2027 season as trade rumors cool

Not only was Contreras the MVP of the World Series and the Brewers' entire postseason run for that matter, but the 28-year-old backstop, who just completed his fourth season in Milwaukee, put together a solid season in 2026. Contreras racked up 27 doubles, 18 homers, and 94 RBI, earned his third All-Star Game appearance, and was among the best defensive catchers in baseball despite being snubbed of a spot among the NL's Gold Glove finalists. While it's not guaranteed that his arbitration salary would have exceeded the $15.5 million club option the Brewers ultimately agreed to, it's likely it would have been comparable, and now the two sides will avoid the song and dance they went through in each of the last two years.

Additionally, the news of Contreras' 2027 salary being finalized comes as the Brewers consider whether or not to trade their All-Star catcher, as they've done with impending free agents in years past. If a comment from MLB insider Jeff Passan, published on ESPN.com this morning, is to be believed, the Brewers are not interested in trading Contreras before his final season of team control. Having his salary for the 2027 campaign set in stone certainly makes trade negotiations more straight-forward, but the Brewers recently kept All-Star position player Willy Adames up until free agency, so perhaps they will do the same with Contreras.

Trading Contreras in the month following his World Series MVP-caliber performance, which is presumably when the Brewers would deal the All-Star catcher given the looming lockout, would be especially tough for the fanbase to stomach. If Milwaukee had a more obvious succession plan like they did when they traded Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams, and Freddy Peralta, a trade may be more possible, but without an obvious replacement, it feels likely that the Brewers will be the team paying Wild Bill his $15.5 million salary in 2027.

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