With Thursday’s arbitration deadline, the Milwaukee Brewers managed to succeed in an settlement with 5 of their six arb-eligible gamers. Sadly, the lone participant they failed to succeed in an settlement with additionally occurs to be their most dear participant.
William Contreras, who’s in his first arbitration 12 months, is coming off one other nice season in a Brewers’ uniform, ending fifth in NL MVP voting as he hit .281/.365/.466 (129 OPS+) with 23 homers, 92 RBIs, 99 runs, and 9 steals throughout a career-high 155 video games, accumulating 4.9 bWAR.
After making simply $767,000 in 2024, Contreras entered arbitration this season with a projected wage of $7.6 million, per MLB Commerce Rumors. In keeping with Mark Feinsand, Contreras filed yesterday at $6.5 million whereas the Brewers filed at $5.6 million.
Arbitration alternate replace: William Contreras filed at $6.5 million; the Brewers filed at $5.6 million.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 10, 2025
As famous by Curt Hogg, the Brewers can nonetheless negotiate with Contreras till his arbitration listening to — as they did final 12 months with Devin Williams — which might possible happen in early February. If the 2 sides can attain a consensus previous to that point, the listening to wouldn’t happen.
Arbitration filings for the Brewers’ two-time MVP. Until the perimeters attain a post-Eleventh hour settlement of some kinds — just like the Devin Williams state of affairs final 12 months — the Brewers will as soon as once more go to an arbitration with a star participant. https://t.co/gQj25ZPzoj
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) January 10, 2025
Notoriously, the Brewers went to a listening to with Corbin Burnes over a $740,000 distinction ($10.01 million vs $10.75 million) again in 2023. For what it’s value, Contreras is nearly on par with Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh when it comes to his stats amongst first-year arbitration catchers (although Contreras provides extra offensive prowess and Raleigh brings the defensive worth). Raleigh obtained a $5.6 million contract this 12 months.
High first-year catcher arb salaries1. Buster Posey $8m (9.8 WAR, 164 wRC+)2. Cal Raleigh $5.6m (5.4 WAR, 117 wRC+, Plat. Glove)T3. Matt Wieters $5.5m (4.1 WAR, 107 wRC+)T3. Adley Rutschman (2.8 WAR, 104 wRC+)5. Will Smith $5.25m (4.3 WAR, 124 wRC+) https://t.co/uqr7OjZAm3
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) January 10, 2025
Keep tuned for extra updates because the Brewers will look to keep away from any form of fallout with their star catcher forward of his arbitration listening to.
