Brewers and Willson Contreras Appear to Move Past Feud

Brewers extend contract of young star Cooper Pratt, signaling a shift in tensions with Cubs catcher Contreras.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:17am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a conceptual representation of the teams' rivalry.The Brewers' contract extension for rising star Cooper Pratt signals a shift away from their feud with Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, focusing the team on building its own roster for the future.Today in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a big-league contract extension with young outfielder Cooper Pratt, a surprising move that suggests the team has moved past its recent feud with Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. Contreras has been hit by Brewers pitchers multiple times in recent seasons, leading to on-field confrontations, but the Brewers' commitment to Pratt indicates a desire to focus on their own roster and move forward.

Why it matters

The Brewers-Cubs rivalry is one of the most intense in the NL Central, and the tensions between the teams have boiled over in recent years, particularly around Willson Contreras. The Brewers' decision to extend Pratt rather than retaliate against Contreras suggests a maturing approach that could lead to a de-escalation of the feud, benefiting both teams as they compete for division titles.

The details

Contreras has been hit by Brewers pitchers three times in the last two seasons, leading to heated exchanges between the teams. However, the Brewers' decision to lock up the 24-year-old Pratt, who is seen as a rising star, indicates a shift in priorities away from the Contreras feud and towards building their own roster for long-term success.

  • Contreras has been hit by Brewers pitchers three times in the last two seasons.

The players

Willson Contreras

The starting catcher for the Chicago Cubs, known for his intensity and on-field confrontations with the rival Milwaukee Brewers.

Cooper Pratt

A 24-year-old outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers who was recently signed to a big-league contract extension, signaling the team's focus on building their own roster.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've seen that skit a few times now. It's time to move on and focus on our own team.”

— Curt Hogg, Brewers Podcast Host

The takeaway

The Brewers' decision to extend Cooper Pratt rather than retaliate against Willson Contreras suggests a maturing approach to their rivalry with the Cubs, potentially leading to a de-escalation of tensions between the two teams as they compete for NL Central supremacy.