Brewers GM Steps Around Shutting Down William Contreras Trade Speculation
· Yahoo Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers just won the World Series, but it may not change the way they do business.
In the past, the Brewers have traded players set to cash in as free agents a year before they hit the open market. They did so with Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta, and William Contreras could be next in line.
Visit somethingsdifferent.biz for more information.
"I'm sure we'll get this question a lot, but he means a lot to our team," Arnold said when asked about trading Contreras, per MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince.
Unlike Alex Anthopoulos of the Atlanta Braves, when he was asked about trading Ronald Acuña Jr., Arnold did not clearly shut down the idea of trading Contreras.
Contreras' $15.5 million option for next season was picked up, but it does not change the fact that he will hit the open market after the season. Trading him now would fall in line with how the Brewers have operated in the past. However, what may make Contreras unique is the fact that he is the World Series MVP. That's something the Brewers have never had to navigate.
Contreras is extremely important to the Brewers, both as a hitter and behind the plate. Pat Murphy gives him a ton of credit for navigating the young pitching staff, but despite all of that, president of baseball operations and general manager Matt Arnold would not clearly shut down the idea of trading Contreras.
It would have been very easy for Arnold to come out and say, "No, we are not going to trade the World Series MVP." However, he did not do that, leaving the door open for what would be a shocking trade.
That's life as a small market team, though. The Brewers are unlikely to abandon the formula that made them champions. However, they have made exceptions in the past. They did not trade Willy Adames because of his impact on the team and in the clubhouse, and simply bit the bullet by letting him walk in free agency for little in return.
They could do the same with Contreras, as they have repeating as champions on their mind.
More MLB: White Sox Skipper Wins 2026 AL Manager Of Year Award