Too early to start speculating on Contreras?

[Madhawk23]

I fully realize that I'm jumping the gun here as we aren't going to trade William before the start of this season, but I think we all know that the day is coming sooner rather than later. If we're competitive this summer (which I still believe we will be), then we'll be looking to trade him next winter (or whenever the lockout concludes).  If for some reason we aren't competitive this summer, then we might already start to talk trades with teams at the deadline this July?  

In looking at everyone's crystal balls here, are there some teams that we think might be good trade partners for William over the next 12 months?  After doing some very quick research, here are some teams that currently could use an upgrade behind the plate (could obviously change over next 12 months though):

• Angels
• Rangers
• Padres
• Marlins

Are there some notable omissions here with this list? I'm sure I might be missing a team or two, and things can obviously change drastically over the next 12 months - but I was hoping the list would be more extensive than it is. There were some other teams where I'm sure that William would be an upgrade over their current catcher, but it would be more of a marginal improvement. You've also got some teams that probably aren't going to be super competitive over the next couple of years, so I didn't include them either. Even including the Marlins is a bit questionable as I'm not sure if they're going to be looking at a winning "window" yet over these next couple of years?

Needless to say....we need William to have a huge year for us this year. First and foremost, that'll help us have a more successful team on the field, but it should also help inflate his trade value even more than it is right now.  

 

[wiguy94]

Yes it’s way too early. Brewers didn’t trade Adames. There’s no reason to assume the Brewers absolutely will trade Contreras.

[wallus]

I would think things are setting up to keep WC and take the pick ala Willy.

[Outlander]

A lot rides on Quero, they are not just going to trade Contreras and run a guy like Eric Haase out there every day. Unfortunatey Quero got hurt and he isn't the same catcher he was a couple of years ago.

[PBTank]

I’m not sure how the pending possibility of a lockout will affect things next offseason.   Will free agent signing and trades come to a complete halt?  For instance, why would you sign anyone to a one year deal if the season will be minimal.  
 

it may be difficult to trade Contreras next offseason.  Who’s going to give up controllable prospects for a let’s say 50 game season?

 

im also thinking this is another reason to have traded Peralta now.  Free agency could be minimal.  Under the terms of the CBA, the Brewers may not even been eligible to recoupe the draft pick.  
 

just too many unknowns in 2027.  

[long ball]

I think there’s a very high probability of Contreras being traded next off season. 
 

as far as speculating on trade partners and trade return it’s too early for me to speculate given a number of factors.