Friday's contract tender deadline to have major impact on top Brewers prospects' future

This Friday, November 21, is MLB’s tender deadline, the date when teams must decide whether to offer contracts to players under club control for the 2026 season. Players who are "non-tendered,“ typically those with climbing arbitration salaries, immediately become free agents.

For the Milwaukee Brewers, seven players are eligible for arbitration this winter, ranging from William Contreras, projected to earn $11.1 million, to Garrett Mitchell at $1.0 million. The group also includes Jake Bauers, Andrew Vaughn, Nick Mears, Trevor Megill, and Brice Turang.

Of this group, back-up first baseman Bauers was non-tendered by the Brewers just a year ago. He later re-signed on a minor-league deal, worked his way back onto the 40-man roster, and delivered a postseason home run for the second straight year.

Despite those big moments, Bauers’ time in Milwaukee has been inconsistent, as he’s posted just a 94 OPS+ over the past two seasons. With a projected $2.0 million salary for 2026, it’s entirely possible he could be non-tendered again. However, if the Brewers choose to keep him, it could say a lot about the fate of a former top prospect within the organization moving forward.

The Milwaukee Brewers contract decision with Jake Bauers could have a serious impact on Tyler Black's fate

Since debuting in the big leagues two seasons ago, 2021 first-round pick Tyler Black (33rd overall) has struggled to gain traction. He has yet to find offensive success, still faces questions about his defensive reliability, and was once again hit by the injury bug in 2025.

Known for his contact skills, speed, and advanced plate discipline, Black has struggled to translate that profile to the major-league level in a very small sample size. The left-handed hitter has appeared in just 23 big-league games, and over 57 plate appearances he’s slashed only .211/.356/.263.

Defensively, after bouncing around the infield and outfield early in his pro career, he has since settled into the corner infield spots, but he has yet to prove himself as a reliable defender. Furthermore, injuries have plagued him throughout his career, and 2025 was no different, as a hamate (wrist) fracture sidelined him for several months.

With these setbacks and just one minor-league option remaining, the clock may be running out on his future with the Brewers. This makes Milwaukee’s decision on Bauers potentially pivotal for Black’s trajectory. If Bauers is retained, it could signal that the organization doesn’t see Black as a ready backup. Conversely, if Bauers is non-tendered, it might provide Black with the opportunity he needs to compete for a roster spot come spring.