Catcher William Contreras avoided salary arbitration with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal, according to a source. The deal includes a $12 million club option for the 2026 season with a $100,000 buyout. Earlier this month, the All-Star catcher field for $6.5 million, while the Brewers countered at $5.6 million. The 27-year-old was one of the best offensive catchers in baseball in 2024 in his second year with the Brew Crew, setting career-highs in home runs (23), RBI (92), stolen bases (nine), runs scored (99) and games played (155) while slashing .281/.365/.466 with an .831 OPS in his 679 plate appearances. He could be used more as the designated hitter by Milwaukee in 2025, but that shouldn't change the fact that he is an elite offensive catching target for fantasy managers. Perhaps more time off his feet will make him even more productive at the plate.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (knee) was playing through a minor knee sprain during the Wild-Card Series against the New York Mets, according to general manager Matt Arnold. The Brewers revised their Game 3 lineup last week as a result to move Contreras from catcher to the designated hitter spot. In the three-game Wild-Card Series, Contreras went 2-for-12 with two RBI and three strikeouts while grounding into a double play. He also hit .257 (19-for-74) with three home runs, three doubles, 12 RBI, 16 walks and 22 strikeouts in 23 games in the final month of the regular season in September. The good news is that the 26-year-old Venezuelan backstop won't require surgery on his knee and should be a full-go for the start of spring training next February. Contreras has become one of the better hitting catchers in the big leagues.
William Contreras Homers, Drives In Four On Saturday
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a home run, four RBI, and three runs scored in Saturday's 15-8 win over the Diamondbacks. The 26-year-old's bat has cooled somewhat in September, slashing .231/.354/.436 for the month, but overall he is having a fantastic season, leading all catchers in fantasy with a strong .280-22-88-94-6 line with a .358 wOBA and 131 wRC+. He'll look to finish strong as September has been his second-best month batting average-wise for his career, hitting .308 during the final month since 2020.
William Contreras Homers Saturday In 2-1 Victory Over Guardians
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras homered on Saturday in a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Contreras connected in the fourth inning off Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee. The backstop is hitting .284 with 17 home runs, 71 RBI, five stolen bases, and 80 runs scored on the season, earning some talk as a Most Valuable Player candidate. The Brewers will need a continued superstar performance from Contreras as they seek to win the National League Central this season.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI in the Brewers' 5-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Contreras connected off of Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly for his 14th home run of the season. He's hitting .286/.359/.457 this season and is stacking up one of the top seasons for a fantasy catcher. The 26-year-old Venezuelan is one of the top fantasy options and the position and should continue to be in the near future.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras continued his strong season on Thursday in a nine-run victory versus his former team, the Atlanta Braves. Contreras went 3-for-5 with a walk, two-run home run and three RBI to add to his impressive 2024 campaign, one that has seen him become one of the top catchers in baseball. On the season, Contreras is now hitting .285 with 13 homers, 66 RBI and five stolen bases. A bonus for Contreras is that the Brewers rarely rest the backstop, using him as their designated hitter when he is not on the field. The backstop will look to keep the momentum going against the division rival Cincinnati Reds and starting pitcher Carson Spiers on Friday.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras is getting the day off on Wednesday in the series finale against the visiting Atlanta Braves. Gary Sanchez will do the catching for right-hander Freddy Peralta and will bat in the three-hole against Braves left-hander Chris Sale. Fantasy managers will want to get Contreras out of their lineups for Wednesday's slate of games. The 26-year-old All-Star backstop has been a must-start all year when he's in the lineup and is currently batting .282/.352/.429 with a .781 OPS, 11 home runs, 57 RBI, five stolen bases and 66 runs scored as one of the best offensive-minded catchers in the game. Sanchez is in a great spot in Milwaukee's batting order but is facing a tough matchup against Sale, who he has hit .174 against in his career with a .391 OPS in 23 at-bats.
William Contreras Collects Three Hits, Homers Monday
Milwaukee Brewers catcher/designated hitter William Contreras continued his solid offensive season in Monday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Rockies. Contreras went 3-for-5 with a single, a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout. Contreras took Austin Gomber deep to the opposite field in the fifth inning, putting a ball just over the right-field fence. The 26-year-old has been a top fantasy catcher option this season, slashing .296/.355/.451 with 10 HR, 59 runs scored, 51 RBI, and five stolen bases in 369 plate appearances. His high average and power provide great ratios, and his ample playing time should continue to help him stand out in counting stats. He has been a high-end fantasy option in general, not just relative to his position.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres. It appears to be a regular rest day for the 26-year-old as he had started the past three games behind the plate. Gary Sanchez will start at catcher on Sunday and bat eighth against Padres right-hander Michael King. Sanchez is slashing .224/.300/.413 with seven home runs, 21 RBI and 18 runs scored this season and is always a threat to go deep. Contreras remains an elite fantasy option for the remainder of the season but should be replaced in lineups for Sunday.
William Contreras Launches Go-Ahead Homer In Brewers Victory
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras' three-run homer off Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander proved to be the game-winning hit in Saturday's 4-2 win. Contreras battled Verlander for 12 pitches before the 13th pitch in the at-bat, which resulted in his seventh homer of the season. He enters Sunday's play second in the majors with a .350 batting average, while his 37 RBI has him tied for third in what has become a breakout campaign. Contreras is one of the top catchers in fantasy baseball and managers should continue to roll with him in all league formats.