The Milwaukee Brewers made a series of pragmatic, forward-thinking moves this week, headlined by a key agreement with their All-Star catcher William Contreras. Instead of heading down the often-awkward path of arbitration, the Brewers and Contreras struck a deal: a one-year contract worth $9.4 million for 2026, with a $14.5 million club option for 2027-his final year of arbitration eligibility.
It’s a win for both sides. For the Brewers, it ensures stability behind the plate with one of the most productive catchers in the game.
For Contreras, it locks in a significant payday and keeps the door open for an even bigger one next year, either through the option or a potential long-term extension. Either way, Milwaukee avoids the risk of souring relations with a cornerstone player.
That wasn’t the only catching news out of Milwaukee this week. The team also added veteran backstop Gary Sánchez on a one-year, $1.75 million deal. While Sánchez isn’t the offensive force he once was, he brings pop off the bench and experience behind the plate-a solid insurance policy in case Contreras needs rest or time off.
Then came another under-the-radar but potentially impactful signing: infielder Luis Rengifo, who agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. With Caleb Durbin traded earlier in the offseason, third base was a clear area of need. Rengifo, a switch-hitter with defensive versatility and some offensive upside, fits the bill as a plug-and-play option on the left side of the infield.
These moves bring the Brewers’ projected payroll to roughly $131.5 million, according to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource. That’s about $8.5 million more than they spent last season and just shy of the franchise’s all-time high of $135 million set back in 2022. So while the front office has been active, it hasn’t exactly gone on a spending spree.
What does that mean moving forward? Well, barring a surprise splash, Milwaukee may be close to done with major additions before Opening Day. With Rengifo filling the third base gap and the pitching staff already deep, another signing would feel more like a luxury than a necessity.
Still, it’s worth noting that the Brewers have some financial flexibility coming their way. Contracts for Sánchez, Rengifo, Jake Bauers, and Brandon Woodruff are all set to come off the books next offseason, clearing about $30 million in salary. That doesn’t mean all of that money will be available-arbitration raises and buyouts will eat into it-but it does give the front office some breathing room for future moves.
And let’s not forget: Milwaukee has a track record of making savvy in-season additions. The club doesn’t need to finalize its roster in February. If the right opportunity presents itself during the year-whether it’s a bullpen arm, a bat, or injury cover-they’ve shown they know how to pounce.
For now, the Brewers have done what they needed to do: lock in their starting catcher, add depth behind the plate, and shore up the infield. They’ve kept the payroll manageable, left themselves room to maneuver, and avoided the kind of drama that can derail a clubhouse before the season even starts.
Opening Day is still weeks away, but the Brewers are already showing signs of a team that knows exactly where it’s headed-and how to get there.