William Contreras

[RobertCrawley]

https://reviewingthebrew.com/top-brewers-prospect-continues-to-prove-he-s-ready-for-the-big-leagues-in-2026-01k8e3ht95ef

William Contreras had a one-year contract for the 2025 season with the Milwaukee Brewers worth $6.1 million, with a team option for 2026. The Brewers' 2026 club option is for $12 million, with a $100,000 buyout if they choose not to pick it up. 

The consensus is that the Brewers should think of Wild Bill as their potential long term catcher. How can anyone disagree with that? He calls a great game, often hits well, and is a true team leader in the clubhouse. And yet Jeferson Quero might be a superstar.  I hope he's the backup starting in 2026. (I hope there's a season in 2026). Then we'll know what we have. If Quero produces like he's expected to, is he the better long term player behind the plate?

[TURBO]

2027 is the season that might not be...There will be baseball in 2026.

2026 is the perfect time to see what we have in Quero.

Please Murphy, give William some extra rest days to keep him healthy for the playoffs, and don't be afraid to let the guy DH a little more. (of course, that creates a problem with Yelich since it appears his only role moving forward is at DH)

We need to work Quero in next year to see if we think we need to extend Contreras or not.  Problem is, I doubt we can afford a Contreras extension anyway, so 2026 is the perfect time to see what Quero can do on this level.

[AJOHNSON104]

Most analysts think the Brewers will pay the $100,000 buy out and go to arbitration this off season. They probably save a $1,000,000 by doing this. But either way, he's in Milwaukee for 2026. I think he's a key element of the team chemistry and attitude, but chances are he's going to test the free agent market in 2 years. He'd be 30 years old for the start of the 2028 season and I'd suspect that the risk/reward is too much for the Brewers to take on unless the economics of the league change.  

[Frisbee Slider]

8 hours ago, AJOHNSON104 said:

Most analysts think the Brewers will pay the $100,000 buy out and go to arbitration this off season. They probably save a $1,000,000 by doing this.

I didn’t mind the Brewers taking Burnes to arbitration to save money. I think it is poor form to pay $100,000 buyout on Contreras for the opportunity to tell him why he isn’t worth $12 million. 
 

Contreras’ injuries this season are complicating but man…what a gritty 4 WAR season with .754 OPS. William certainly needed to grind in 2025.

[Devinep]

I’d give Quero a little time in AAA to start 2026 to give him everyday time and gain an extra year of control. Lean heavily in Contreras then mix in few more DH (1B?) days and not have Quero play only twice a month as Contreras’ backup. Hopefully Sieger can be that stopgap backup catcher 

long term, it seems likely to me that, if Quero looks the part in 2026, then Contreras should probably be traded with only 1 year left on his deal. 

[Mr Southpaw]

Seigler could be the backup catcher for April and May then call up Quero.  Anybody think Quero could be the backup in rf, ala Charlie Moore?  It would add a little power to the offense.

[SF70]

6 minutes ago, Mr Southpaw said:

Seigler could be the backup catcher for April and May then call up Quero.  Anybody think Quero could be the backup in rf, ala Charlie Moore?  It would add a little power to the offense.

They only need a backup til the 3rd week of April to get Quero his 7th year. 
 

From what I saw of Seigler behind the dish I don’t think he’s an option for any time at catcher, let alone as backup for 3+ weeks. He’s terrible defensively. 

[Brian]

2 hours ago, Devinep said:

I’d give Quero a little time in AAA to start 2026 to give him everyday time and gain an extra year of control. Lean heavily in Contreras then mix in few more DH (1B?) days and not have Quero play only twice a month as Contreras’ backup. Hopefully Sieger can be that stopgap backup catcher 

long term, it seems likely to me that, if Quero looks the part in 2026, then Contreras should probably be traded with only 1 year left on his deal. 

Jeferson Quero injuries have to come to a halt then and Seigler just can't hit in the MLB.  I thought Seigler was terrible in 2025. 

[TURBO]

All this Seigler talk, I just don't get it.

He had his chance and failed.  Just because he can play multiple positions doesn't, and shouldn't move him up in the pecking order for anything.  The guy can't hit, he offers nothing.

No way do I count on him for anything other than AAA emergency stuff.

[39Streak]

10 minutes ago, TURBO said:

All this Seigler talk, I just don't get it.

He had his chance and failed.  Just because he can play multiple positions doesn't, and shouldn't move him up in the pecking order for anything.  The guy can't hit, he offers nothing.

No way do I count on him for anything other than AAA emergency stuff.

I agree on Siegler.  He does a great job leaning into pitches and staring them to the glove.  There were times Murph praised him for his at bats.  I never saw it.  He did nothing to show he can hit at this level.

For Wild Bill:  exercise the option.  Build goodwill with your best player and leader!

[Austin Tatious]

Personally, I’d have more of a job sharing situation and keep both catchers more fresh.  Contreras and Quero both getting a lot of PT is how I would do it.  

[FrntRw]

14 hours ago, Frisbee Slider said:

I didn’t mind the Brewers taking Burnes to arbitration to save money. I think it is poor form to pay $100,000 buyout on Contreras for the opportunity to tell him why he isn’t worth $12 million. 
 

Contreras’ injuries this season are complicating but man…what a gritty 4 WAR season with .754 OPS. William certainly needed to grind in 2025.

I 100% agree, Contreras is a great leader behind the plate, the only reason to go to arbitration would be to lock in a longer contract with better pricing vs. waiting post 2027. 

[jay87shot]

8 hours ago, TURBO said:

All this Seigler talk, I just don't get it.

He had his chance and failed.  Just because he can play multiple positions doesn't, and shouldn't move him up in the pecking order for anything.  The guy can't hit, he offers nothing.

No way do I count on him for anything other than AAA emergency stuff.

 

Siegler only had 73 plate appearances in 34 games with 16 starts. I agree the bat wasn't great, but his AAA stats were solid (over .400 obp and almost .900 ops) . His .292 obp was better than Haase and he can play 2B and 3B. I do like the idea of signing a vet AAA catcher like Haase or Alfaro to compete with Siegler for the backup catcher role and than having Quero come up after a month or two. Since Contreras barely rests he may only sit 5-6 games in the first 40 or so. Since Seigler can bring other value at 2B, 3B, pinch runner it makes sense to use that utility instead of using a 26 man spots on a catcher who will get 20 abs before Quero comes up.

[tmwiese55]

I haven't looked specifically at last year, but generally speaking Yeli hasn't been one who craters vs lefties.  But just adding that the DH days for William could really be easy sell to just sit Yelich vs lefties and let Contreras DH.  Saves some workload on him and gets Quero ABs, keeps old injury prone Yelich with plenty of rest.

[RobertCrawley]

11 hours ago, jay87shot said:

Siegler only had 73 plate appearances in 34 games with 16 starts. I agree the bat wasn't great, but his AAA stats were solid (over .400 obp and almost .900 ops) . His .292 obp was better than Haase and he can play 2B and 3B. I do like the idea of signing a vet AAA catcher like Haase or Alfaro to compete with Siegler for the backup catcher role and than having Quero come up after a month or two. Since Contreras barely rests he may only sit 5-6 games in the first 40 or so. Since Seigler can bring other value at 2B, 3B, pinch runner it makes sense to use that utility instead of using a 26 man spots on a catcher who will get 20 abs before Quero comes up.

Siegler is 26 years old. Let's see if he puts in the work and becomes a more effective hitter when spring ball rolls around.

And remember, his ERA is 0.00.

[Team Canada]

5 hours ago, tmwiese55 said:

I haven't looked specifically at last year, but generally speaking Yeli hasn't been one who craters vs lefties

Career .871 OPS vs RH, .759 vs LH
2025 was much worse: .860 vs .660.
2024 he was over .900 both ways.

[liveforoctober]

Just re-sign Haase to be the backup for a month+ .. I can't imagine he will get another guaranteed major league offer. If he knows he will get 8 weeks in the bigs and will be the first call if an injury happens after - that should be enough to bring him back.

[Brewluver]

On 10/26/2025 at 2:54 PM, TURBO said:

All this Seigler talk, I just don't get it.

He had his chance and failed.  Just because he can play multiple positions doesn't, and shouldn't move him up in the pecking order for anything.  The guy can't hit, he offers nothing.

No way do I count on him for anything other than AAA emergency stuff.

I can also play several positions, just not well.

Keep Contreras, he's solid, there are more important areas to take care of.

[Jopal78]

On 10/26/2025 at 5:34 AM, Frisbee Slider said:

I didn’t mind the Brewers taking Burnes to arbitration to save money. I think it is poor form to pay $100,000 buyout on Contreras for the opportunity to tell him why he isn’t worth $12 million. 
 

Contreras’ injuries this season are complicating but man…what a gritty 4 WAR season with .754 OPS. William certainly needed to grind in 2025.

$12,000,000 would place Contreras 5th highest paid at the catcher position, and his salary would likely then grow exponentially after that for 2027. 
 

Pretty easy business decision for Milwaukee to decline the option and go to arbitration. Not only for their budget, but inevitably for suitors when Milwaukee trades him at some point after January 1, 2027. 

[Lathund]

Seigler shouldn't be the primary backup catcher, but he will absolutely get another chance in some role. Fans are, as always, putting way too much into surface stats in small sample sizes. Particularly when that small sample is someone's first, and irregular, experience in the majors. His AAA stats were very good, plate discipline was good, the underlying/predictive metrics (like xwOBA, DRC+) were better than the results. And playing multiple positions makes the roster fit easier. Might not be on the opening day roster, but he's just the type of player that the teams and casual fans will absolutely be miles apart in how they value them. He will get more major league PAs with the Brewers, and will do better than he did in 2025. How much better and how big a role remains to be seen, but the many people on here who call for, and/or expect, him to be released/outrighted will be mistaken. 

[Frisbee Slider]

4 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Pretty easy business decision for Milwaukee to decline the option and go to arbitration.

From what I’ve read, Contreras would expect approximately $11 million in arbitration. 

I guess it’s easy for me to say that $1 million is no big deal in order to avoid arbitration in this instance. 🤷‍♂️

[rickh150]

My guess is that they look to add a year and buy out the arby…14mil?

[nate82]

5 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Pretty easy business decision for Milwaukee to decline the option and go to arbitration. Not only for their budget, but inevitably for suitors when Milwaukee trades him at some point after January 1, 2027. 

Contreras arbitration number probably comes in around $11-14mm.  There is a possibility that the Brewers will have to pay more in arbitration.

Even if it comes in at the lower level of $11mm there is not that much of a difference between $11mm and $12mm for the following year’s arbitration number.

So not really a future savings.  

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, nate82 said:

Contreras arbitration number probably comes in around $11-14mm.  There is a possibility that the Brewers will have to pay more in arbitration.

Even if it comes in at the lower level of $11mm there is not that much of a difference between $11mm and $12mm for the following year’s arbitration number.

So not really a future savings.  

The front office would not be very good at their jobs if they declined a $12 million option without knowing the likelihood they’ll end up paying more. If MLB TradeRumors can put up arbitration projections that are fairly accurate; I think it’s safe to say the Brewers, with non-public data and algorithms, know already what they’ll have to pay Contreras in 2026.
 

Frankly, the ability to decline the club option in 2026 is the point of having it. With no real comps (most catchers at Contreras’s age and service time are making far less money. The highest paid players at catcher are all far more experienced, and on multiyear deals) they’re protecting themselves from the possibility of an adverse award at arbitration.
 

It certainly won’t come as a surprise to Contreras either. If he didn’t know his chances of eclipsing 12 million dollars when he gave the team a club option, then either he and/or his agents are incredibly stupid. 

[Brian]

21 hours ago, Lathund said:

Seigler shouldn't be the primary backup catcher, but he will absolutely get another chance in some role. Fans are, as always, putting way too much into surface stats in small sample sizes. Particularly when that small sample is someone's first, and irregular, experience in the majors. His AAA stats were very good, plate discipline was good, the underlying/predictive metrics (like xwOBA, DRC+) were better than the results. And playing multiple positions makes the roster fit easier. Might not be on the opening day roster, but he's just the type of player that the teams and casual fans will absolutely be miles apart in how they value them. He will get more major league PAs with the Brewers, and will do better than he did in 2025. How much better and how big a role remains to be seen, but the many people on here who call for, and/or expect, him to be released/outrighted will be mistaken. 

Correct, Seigler had one good year in the minor leagues and that is the only reason he was called up and the Brewers tried him out.  Otherwise he was a .230 hitter in the minor leagues from ROK league all the way threw AA.   I have no idea why that 1/2 season in Nashville he hit .285   But was called up and hit .194 with Milwaukee. 

Seigler is an injury fill in at a couple positions right now, sitting the pines in Milwaukee won't benefit him at all until he gets better at the plate.