William Contreras Triples His 2024 Earnings with Huge Performance-Based Pay Day

In 2024, William Contreras signed a contract that paid him $766,900 for the season. He again put up huge numbers, made his second All Star team, won his second Silver Slugger, and finished fifth in voting for NL MVP. On Friday, it was announced that the 26-year-old received the fourth-highest performance bonus given out this year at just over $1.7 million. That bonus more than doubles his 2024 contract (and more than triples how much taxable income he made). 

As part of his long-term contract extension, Jackson Chourio's 2024 salary was $2 million. Despite a slow start, the 20-year-old had a huge rookie season. He hit .275 with 29 doubles, 21 homers and 22 stolen bases. He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and was a finalist for a Silver Slugger Award. He received the 10th-highest bonus at $901,335. Combined with his salary and his $2 million signing bonus, that's nearly a $5 million rookie year. Not too shabby! 

As you may recall, the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement set for a means for players with less than three years of service time to make some bonus money based on their performance that season. Each of the 30 teams contributes equally into the $50 million bonus pool. Eligible players can get huge bonuses based on award voting. For instance, winning an MVP award or a Cy Young Award means $2.5 million while second-place finishers earn $1.75 million and a third place finish is worth $1.5 million. Contreras finished in fourth place in MVP voting which accounts for $1 million of his bonus as would a fifth place finish. It's also $1 million if the player is named all-MLB first team. A Rookie of the Year Award earns a player $750,000, while a second place finish in rookie voting or being named to the all-MLB second team is worth a half-million dollars. (however a player can only earn one of those specific bonuses, receiving the higher of the values)

The remaining pool money is distributed to players based on a formula that combines multiple Wins Above Replacement (WAR) statistics. 

No surprise, but with his second-place finish in the AL MVP voting, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt, Jr. received the highest bonus of the year at just over $3 million. Paul Skenes was a finalist for both NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young. He earned about $2.15 million for his bonus. Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson came in just over $2 million. Contreras received the fourth-highest bonus. Also receiving a seven-figure bonus are Royals LHP Cole Ragans ($1.64M), Red Sox OF Jarren Duran ($1.32M), Padres OF Jackson Merrill ($1.19M), and Yankees RHP Luis Gil ($1.1M). Chourio rounded out the Top 10, just behind Orioles OF Colton Cowser ($978,671). 

Brewers to have earned a big payday thanks to their 2024 performance are (with 2024 regular salary): 

William Contreras - $1,722,174 (2024 salary: $766,500)
Jackson Chourio - $901,335) (2024 salary: $2,000,000)
Joey Ortiz - $427,663 (2024 salary: $741,500)
Brice Turang - $368,014 (2024 salary: $748,200)
Tobias Myers - $312,411 (2024 salary: $740,000) 
Garrett Mitchell - $254,824 (2024 salary: $744,300)
Bryan Hudson - $246,858 (2024 salary: $741,700)
Sal Frelick - $232,549 (2024 salary: $746,500)
NOTE: 2024 salaries are for full seasons. For those who spent time in the minor leagues, their actual salary would be pro-rated to the number of days spent on the big-league roster. 

101 players received a bonus again this year. Frelick and his Gold Glove Award ranked #101. 

Congratulations to all eight Brewers on their well-deserved 2024 bonuses. Their families should be receiving some very nice holiday gifts!!