The Yankees left the trade deadline without fixing the most obvious hole on the roster, and that decision is only going to keep the catcher conversation alive in New York.
For a team that needed help all over the place, standing pat behind the plate felt hard to defend. The front office may still clean things up later, but for now the issue remains staring everyone in the face.
That’s why the Yankees’ recent connection to Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras stands out. He wasn’t a deadline option because the Brewers are in the middle of a real World Series push, but there’s a growing belief he could become available this offseason.
Contreras is under team control until free agency in 2028, yet the Brewers have a history of moving star players before they reach that point. Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader are all examples of Milwaukee choosing to deal big names rather than risk losing them for nothing.
“If there's one thing we can expect from the Milwaukee Brewers, it's that they'll trade star talent away before free agency. Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader are four examples of big names the Brewers have traded away rather than losing them for nothing in free agency. And given how good a player William Contreras is, the likelihood is Milwaukee won't be extending him,” Zachary Rotman wrote.
The problem for the Yankees is timing. This offseason could get messy in a hurry, and there’s even talk that baseball could be headed for a lockout. If that happens, New York might not even get a real shot at pursuing Contreras until the situation is resolved.
In Other News...
Brewers Suddenly Face A Brice Turang Problem They Couldn't Afford
The Brewers got a scare when Brice Turang exited with a thumb issue in the game against the Padres, and it comes at a time when Milwaukee can least afford another infield problem. Turang has become one of the clubs more important offensive pieces, and the Brewers are already trying to navigate life without Cooper Pratt, who is on the injured list.
If Turang needs any time at all, Milwaukees depth is going to be tested quickly. That would likely push more responsibility onto Jihwan Bae, David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz, a group the Brewers may soon need to trust in bigger roles while they wait to see how serious Turangs setback turns out to be. [Read more 🡒]
Jackson Chourio's Early Exit Sent Brewers Fans A Clear Message
Jackson Chourios night ended earlier than expected, but the Brewers had a larger picture in mind when they pulled him from a comfortable game. With Milwaukee in a strong spot, manager Pat Murphy chose to protect one of the clubs most important young players, a reminder that the endgame now is less about squeezing out extra innings in September and more about making sure the roster is right when the postseason arrives.
The decision also came against the backdrop of a few nagging health concerns around the clubhouse, with Brice Turang dealing with a sore thumb and William Contreras having taken a swing off the wrist. Milwaukee framed Chourios exit as a precaution, not a setback, and that kind of caution makes sense for a team trying to keep its core intact while the games start to matter more. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Suddenly Face A Depth Test They Cant Escape
The Brewers are trying to keep the lineup moving through a stretch that has turned into a real test of infield and outfield depth. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt is sidelined with a hamstring strain, Brice Turang is working through a sprained thumb, and the club has already had to mix and match by bringing in Ji Hwan Bae while leaning on Andrew Vaughn and Turang to cover spots around the diamond.
Sal Frelick is part of the same uneasy picture, with the outfielder on the injured list because of a right shoulder strain. Milwaukee has been able to keep patching holes for now, but the next few days should say plenty about how long that can last, especially with multiple regulars still working their way back and the club trying to avoid losing more ground while the lineup is pieced together. [Read more 🡒]