The Brewers don't generally extend relief pitchers, but should they?

The Milwaukee Brewers have built a reputation for doing things a bit differently, especially when it comes to finances. They often take calculated risks by locking up younger or less-proven players early, hoping they will outperform their contract extensions. Freddy Peralta is a prime example of this approach paying off. Aaron Ashby, now in his second straight solid season, is starting to outperform his five-year, $20.5 million extension, while Jackson Chourio looks well on his way to justifying the richest contract ever given to a player before their MLB debut.

One area Milwaukee could consider exploring next is extending some of their relief pitchers. Historically, they’ve avoided this strategy. Bullpen arms are generally seen as easier to replace than starters or position players, and the Brewers have typically allowed top-tier relievers, like Josh Hader and Devin Williams, to go through arbitration before eventually being traded. Committing long-term money to relievers has been viewed as riskier, but it might be time to revisit that philosophy.

Should the Milwaukee Brewers look into contract extensions for Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe?

Currently anchoring the Brewers bullpen is 31-year-old Trevor Megill and 25-year-old Abner Uribe. When Williams missed a large chunk of the 2024 season due to stress fractures in his back, first-year manager at the time Pat Murphy initially looked to Uribe to close games out. He quickly pivoted to Megill once Uribe started to struggle and has not looked back since.

Since last season, Megill has racked up all 51 of his career saves in a Brewers uniform, which is also the ninth most in baseball dating back to Opening Day of last year. Milwaukee clearly found a hidden gem of a player who has a 100 MPH fastball, but yet was acquired following a designation for assignment by the Minnesota Twins. He settled on a $1.94 million salary this year, avoiding arbitration in his first go-around, but appears in line for a few million-dollar bump with how well he has performed this season.

With only two years of team control remaining through arbitration, Trevor Megill is likely to top out around the $4.5 million range, comparable to what former Reds closer Alexis Díaz secured for the 2025 season. Considering Megill’s age and relative affordability in the near term, offering him a contract extension with a higher financial commitment may not be the most practical move for the Brewers and could come back to bite them should he falter.

On the flip side, if Megill continues to perform well, another team will likely offer him a multi-year deal in free agency that better serves his financial interests. This strengthens the case for extending him now, potentially securing an additional year or two in Milwaukee at a more team-friendly rate while banking on him to continue producing as a top-tier closer.

Contrarily, there is more of a case for the Brewers to lock up Uribe long term. Even though he won't reach arbitration until the 2028 season and be eligible for free agency until 2031, he has been dominant this season, evidenced by a 1.73 ERA, leading the league in holds, and showing improved command and poise on the mound. He appears to be well-groomed to take over at closer whenever Megill falters or his contract runs up.

With just six career saves to his name, Uribe isn't positioned to earn much through the arbitration system, unless he significantly boosts that total in the coming seasons. This could make a contract extension appealing, offering him guaranteed money regardless of save totals, and shifting the focus solely to his overall performance.

A potential deal could resemble what the Diamondbacks gave Justin Martinez this spring: $18 million over five years. For Uribe, a six-year extension worth around $21 million might make more sense, as it would cover at least one free agent year and offer the Brewers longer-term control. The deal would carry an average annual value of about $3.5 million, a figure Uribe could realistically outperform based on everything he has shown in the Major Leagues so far.

Of the current bullpen arms, Uribe stands out as the more logical candidate for a potential extension. While Megill has been effective, his age, limited team control, and likely rising arbitration cost make a long-term deal less appealing. Uribe, on the other hand, offers more upside, youth, and team control, making him a better fit for a cost-effective, forward-looking investment. If the Brewers are ready to shift their philosophy and extend a reliever, Uribe is the one who makes the most sense.