Brewers Pick Up William Contreras’ Option and Face a Big Decision
On November 2, the Milwaukee Brewers exercised catcher William Contreras’ $15.5 million option for 2027, keeping him for another season before he is set to reach free agency.
The Brewers exercised Contreras’ $15.5 million club option for 2027, a move that keeps the three-time All-Star in Milwaukee for another season. The 28-year-old catcher is coming off a year in which he helped the team win its first World Series and was named the series’ most valuable player.
Contreras hit .270 with a .341 on-base percentage and .417 slugging percentage, along with 18 home runs and a career-best 94 runs batted in. He is also regarded as one of the league’s strongest defensive catchers, making him a difficult player to replace at a position where high-level offensive and defensive talent is scarce.
His contract situation now presents an offseason decision for Milwaukee. The team has previously traded important players before they reached free agency, and Contreras is set to become a free agent after the 2027 season. His option year puts him in a position similar to pitcher Freddy Peralta, whom the Brewers traded during the final season of his contract.
Milwaukee won a club-record 103 regular-season games and claimed the division title for a fourth straight year before its championship run. With only four key free agents this offseason, the roster could remain largely intact. Keeping Contreras would give the Brewers a chance to pursue another title with much of the same group, while a trade could bring a substantial return.