The Milwaukee Brewers have built a pattern in recent years: if a star player is getting close to free agency and there doesn’t appear to be a clean path to an extension, they’ve shown a willingness to move him before the market gets even louder.
That backdrop is why catcher William Contreras is a name to watch this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter pointed to the Brewers’ recent track record, writing Tuesday that, "The Brewers have set a clear precedent of trading away their star players a year before free agency if they don't see a path to a long-term extension, with Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader among the notable recent examples,"
Contreras fits the kind of player who would draw real attention if Milwaukee ever made him available. The three-time All-Star is coming off a huge offensive season, hitting 23 home runs with an .831 OPS in 2024, and he brings above-average defense behind the plate as well. That kind of two-way production from a catcher is hard to find, which is exactly why his value could be peaking now.
That same value also comes with a cost. A player producing at Contreras’ level is likely headed for a significant contract, and that may be where the Brewers start to hesitate.
Reuter also noted, "The move to buy-low on Bo Naylor in a trade deadline deal with Cleveland could be a hint that Contreras is not expected to be around long-term,"
That doesn’t mean Milwaukee has closed the door on keeping him. The Brewers could still try to work out a long-term extension with Contreras. But if the asking price climbs beyond what the front office wants to commit, he becomes exactly the sort of player the Brewers have been willing to deal before.
In Other News...
Brewers Just Took Another Bullpen Hit During A Brutal Roster Shuffle
The Brewers kept reshaping their roster this week, and the latest round of moves hit both the pitching staff and the depth chart. Milwaukee designated right-hander Bryse Wilson for assignment, and after clearing waivers he elected free agency, another reminder of how quickly bullpen roles can change when a team is juggling injuries and short-term needs. To cover for injured shortstop Cooper Pratt on the active roster, the Brewers brought in Ji Hwan Bae and opened a spot by designating left-hander Drew Rom for assignment.
Roms exit is the part that stings a little more from a depth standpoint because he had been working in relief after moving out of a starters role at Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers had seen him as a potential arm worth keeping in the mix, but the roster squeeze left no easy answers, and now they have to keep sorting through the fallout while trying to maintain some stability on the pitching side. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Bring Bryse Wilson Back As Another Bullpen Arm Pays The Price
The Brewers kept their bullpen shuffle moving by bringing back right-hander Bryse Wilson on a major league contract after he elected free agency. Wilson had just been in the organizations recent mix, and Milwaukee remains in the familiar position of having to balance immediate pitching needs against the limited flexibility that comes with a crowded roster.
To get the move done, the Brewers had to clear space on both the active and 40-man rosters, and the latest transaction leaves Lyon Richardson in a precarious spot. Both pitchers are out of options, which means the waiver process could determine whether either one stays in the organization or is able to test free agency again. [Read more 🡒]