Brewers, Catcher Contreras Reach $9.4M Deal Before Arbitration

The one-year contract was agreed upon just before the scheduled arbitration hearing.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 8:39pm

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The Milwaukee Brewers and All-Star catcher William Contreras have reached a $9.4 million, one-year contract agreement, avoiding an arbitration hearing that was scheduled to take place in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Why it matters

Reaching a deal before an arbitration hearing is common practice in Major League Baseball, as it allows both sides to avoid the adversarial nature of the process and come to a mutually agreeable contract. Contreras is a key part of the Brewers' lineup and this deal ensures he will remain with the team for the 2026 season.

The details

The $9.4 million, one-year contract was agreed upon just before the scheduled start of Contreras' arbitration hearing in Scottsdale, Arizona. Contreras, 28, made the National League All-Star team in 2025 and is considered one of the top young catchers in the game.

  • The contract was agreed upon on February 12, 2026.
  • The arbitration hearing was scheduled to take place in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The players

William Contreras

A 28-year-old All-Star catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers

A Major League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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The takeaway

This deal allows the Brewers to retain one of their key offensive pieces for the 2026 season, avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration process. It's a win-win for both Contreras and the team as they look to build on their success from the previous year.