Arbitration Tracker 2026

[Jastro]

 

[Jastro]

 

[Jastro]

Halfway done

[Jastro]

 

[markedman5]

So only Mitchell and Contreras left?

[Jastro]

6 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

So only Mitchell and Contreras left?

Yup, just Mitchell and William left

[markedman5]

 

[Jastro]

And then there was 1.... the biggest one... 

[markedman5]

 

[Soupy]

arb hearings are not good

settle it

[markedman5]

Skubal and Joe Ryan also headed for hearings……..it happens

buisness is business.

[Frisbee Slider]

I wonder how Contreras’ arbitration ask compares to the $12 million option. 

[torts]

What did he get this past year?

[markedman5]

Now this what I call a gap……lol

 

[Jastro]

 

[markedman5]

Contrero just said on WTMJ that because Vaughn spent so much time in the minors last year that the brewers still have 2 years of control with him……….is that correct? I I thought it was mentioned that it was only 2026?

[endaround]

9 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

Contrero just said on WTMJ that because Vaughn spent so much time in the minors last year that the brewers still have 2 years of control with him……….is that correct? I I thought it was mentioned that it was only 2026?

He will not reach 6 years of service time until after 2027 now

[torts]

30 minutes ago, Jastro said:

 

He's going to win 9.9, his production didn't drop off that much to warrant 8.5

[Bulldogboy]

Contreras about to find out why playing hurt was bad decision. Brewers will not care come hearing time. 

[long ball]

Curt Hogg said on blue sky that Will smith has the highest ever arb 2 figure at $8.55m in 2024. 
 

so the Brewers filing at $8.55m makes sense, but it’s also from 2 seasons ago. Probably a little light. 
 

also kinda surprised how much mlb trade rumors over shot the projection. 

[AdvantageSchneider]

1 hour ago, Bulldogboy said:

Contreras about to find out why playing hurt was bad decision. Brewers will not care come hearing time. 

Maybe, on the other hand how much lower would the figures be if his counting stats were even lower due to decreased playing time.

I'll say this I don't know if I posted this here but I did not think it was a good decision to decline his option.  Clearly saving $2 to $3.5M was worth it.  Trust in Arnold above all else.

[brewcrewdue80]

5 hours ago, long ball said:

Curt Hogg said on blue sky that Will smith has the highest ever arb 2 figure at $8.55m in 2024. 
 

so the Brewers filing at $8.55m makes sense, but it’s also from 2 seasons ago. Probably a little light. 
 

also kinda surprised how much mlb trade rumors over shot the projection. 

Man; if thats the case, why did they throw a 12M team option for him to sign last season? 3.5M above the record for Catchers? What a mistake.

[Frisbee Slider]

2 hours ago, brewcrewdue80 said:

Man; if thats the case, why did they throw a 12M team option for him to sign last season? 3.5M above the record for Catchers? What a mistake.

Contreras had 3.7 bWAR in 2023 and 4.9 bWAR in 2024. If he somehow managed 6+ WAR in 2025, the $12 million option likely makes good sense. In any case, Milwaukee simply declined the option. Little harm done.

[KCBrewerfan34]

If Contreras won’t sign long term are really concerned about “hurt feelings”? 

[endaround]

4 hours ago, brewcrewdue80 said:

Man; if thats the case, why did they throw a 12M team option for him to sign last season? 3.5M above the record for Catchers? What a mistake.

Because it wasn't a real option.  It was a way for the Brewers to spread the cost of his salary over multiple years.  Option buyouts are also a real loophole (unlike deferred salary) because option payments do not have to be placed in a receiving account since they are not technically guaranteed.