MLB Trade Rumors has released their annual list of projections for arbitration-eligible players, and the Brewers feature a whopping 16 players on the list, led by catcher William Contreras, second baseman Brice Turang, and first baseman Andrew Vaughn.
As with everything else this offseason, the arbitration process would be frozen in the event of a lockout, which certainly appears to be the most likely scenario. Either way, the arbitration system itself could change under a new collective bargaining
agreement, so these numbers may not hold even if the offseason proceeds normally.
As things stand now, here’s what MLB Trade Rumors projects:
- William Contreras (5.112 years of service): $14.6MM (Brewers hold $14.5MM club option)
Contreras and the Brewers avoided an arbitration hearing last winter, agreeing to a $9.4 million salary for 2026 with a $14.5 million club option for 2027. That $9.4 million was a new record for a second-year arb-eligible catcher. This time, the option is actually slightly below his $14.6 million projection, the reverse of last year, when the Brewers declined a $12 million option that came in above his projection.
The Brewers control Contreras through the 2027 season no matter what, so they could theoretically decline his option and try to save some money in arbitration. That’s probably not worth it, for a couple of reasons: one, Contreras is one of the best catchers in baseball, and there’s no guarantee he’d get less in arbitration; and two, they’d risk alienating their starting catcher over what could end up being a negligible amount of money. Not only would that look bad, but there are other ways the Brewers could trim payroll if they choose to. Unless the Brewers decide to trade him, it’d be a surprise if they didn’t pick up the option.
Contreras put together a season pretty similar to last year’s, hitting .270/.341/.417 (108 OPS+) with 18 homers and 94 RBIs across 147 games and making the All-Star team. However, his 2.9 bWAR was nearly a full win less than his 2025 season (3.8). He’ll be a free agent after 2027.
- Brice Turang (3.165): $9.5MM
Turang earned $4.15 million in arbitration last season as a Super Two. He followed his 2025 breakout with an even better season, hitting .268/.366/.450 with 21 homers, 100 RBIs, 102 runs, and 19 steals for 7.3 bWAR. He should finish in the top five in NL MVP voting, and his $9.5 million projection, the second-highest on the team, reflects that. Turang remains under club control through 2029.
- Andrew Vaughn (5.142): $8.5MM
Vaughn avoided arbitration with a $7.65 million deal for 2026. He opened the season on the injured list, and by the time he returned, Jake Bauers had turned into one of the Brewers’ best hitters. Still, when he played, Vaughn hit: .306/.390/.444 (130 OPS+) in 104 games, albeit with just six homers.
Next season is Vaughn’s final year of arbitration eligibility, so he and Contreras will hit free agency together after 2027.
- Trevor Megill (5.002): $8MM
Megill avoided arbitration last year by signing a one-year, $4.7 million deal for 2026. While that was more than MLBTR projected ($4.2 million), he earned every penny, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.85 FIP, 30 saves, and 69 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings.
Arbitration rewards saves, which is why his projection jumps to $8 million. Like Contreras and Vaughn, Megill will be a free agent after 2027.
- Garrett Mitchell (4.040): $2.7MM
Mitchell finally stayed healthy for a whole season, and the results speak for themselves: .262/.354/.416 with 11 homers, 30 doubles, and 14 steals in 145 games, worth 3.4 bWAR. He earned $950,000 in 2026, and his projection nearly triples that, at $2.7 million. Mitchell is arbitration-eligible through 2028.
- Sal Frelick (3.072): $2.4MM
Frelick is entering arbitration for the first time after the worst season of his career: .230/.295/.319 (70 OPS+) over 111 games, worth -0.5 bWAR. He’s projected at $2.4 million.
- Joey Ortiz (3.030): $2.4MM
The overall body of work isn’t eye-popping, but Ortiz found another level after moving to third base, and his season-long stats show it: .270/.328/.402 over 134 games, worth 2.6 bWAR. He’s projected $2.4 million in his first year of eligibility and might get a bit more.
- David Hamilton (3.011): $1.6MM
Hamilton came over from Boston in the Caleb Durbin trade and played all over the infield, hitting .245/.314/.336 with 30 steals in 121 games. With Pat Murphy at the helm, the fact that Hamilton led the majors with 13 sacrifice bunts means something. He’s at $1.6 million.
- Bo Naylor (3.014): $1.5MM
The Brewers acquired Naylor and reliever Codi Heuer from the Guardians on Aug. 1 for outfielder Blake Perkins and reliever Craig Yoho. Naylor hit .143 over 28 games with Cleveland before being optioned in May but posted a .903 OPS with four homers in 14 games with Nashville after the trade. He appeared in only three games for Milwaukee.
With Gary Sánchez a free agent and Contreras entering his final year of control, Naylor could get a real look in 2027. MLBTR has him at $1.5 million, which is well worth it if Milwaukee sees him as the backup catcher.
- Quinn Priester (2.134): $1.3MM
Priester spent the entire season on the injured list, ultimately undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in June. Because he spent the year on the 60-day IL, he still accrued major league service time and pay. That’s how he reached 2.134 years of service, just above MLBTR’s projected Super Two cutoff of 2.133. His $1.3 million projection is based mostly on his strong 2025.
- Angel Zerpa (4.082): $1.3MM
Zerpa avoided arbitration at $1.095 million in his first year of eligibility. His 2026 was a lost one, though: just 12 2/3 innings with a 6.39 ERA before he suffered a UCL tear that required Tommy John surgery. He’s projected for a modest raise to $1.3 million and has two more arbitration years before free agency after 2028. There’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for the 2027 season, which could make him a non-tender candidate.
- Akil Baddoo (3.082): $1.3MM
Baddoo signed a one-year major league deal with the Brewers in December but suffered a quad strain near the end of spring training and spent the start of the season on the 60-day IL. He was activated and optioned to Nashville on May 24 and never appeared in a big league game for Milwaukee. At $1.3 million, and with the Brewers’ outfield depth, he’s probably a non-tender candidate.
- Bryse Wilson (5.049): $1.1MM
Wilson’s 2026 was a roller coaster. After brief stints with the Phillies and Cubs, he signed a one-year major league deal with Milwaukee on July 10, was designated for assignment on Aug. 8, elected free agency, and re-signed with the Brewers three days later. He then landed on the injured list with a lower-back strain on Aug. 31.
When he was needed, he was solid: a 3.51 ERA over 25 2/3 innings with 23 strikeouts and just one walk. At 5.049 years of service, 2027 would be his final arbitration year. Wilson is nice to have, but he’s a depth arm; at a projected $1.1 million, he’s an obvious non-tender candidate if the Brewers need the roster spot.
- DL Hall (3.074): $1MM
Hall was one of the Brewers’ best relievers this year. In 47 appearances, he posted a 1.91 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings and finished the season worth 2.0 bWAR. The walks are still a concern (35 in 61 1/3 innings), but a $1 million projection is a bargain for those results. Non-closers tend to be undervalued in arbitration, but I’d still be willing to bet he gets more than that.
- Grant Anderson (3.007): $1MM
Anderson was a key middle-relief piece for most of the year, posting a 3.36 ERA in 59 innings across 52 appearances. He was optioned to Nashville after the Brewers added pitching at the deadline and later landed on the IL with right biceps inflammation. He’s projected at $1 million.
- Jared Koenig (2.158): $900K
Koenig’s season was pretty much the worst-case scenario. The Brewers placed him on the IL in April with a sprained UCL, which Pat Murphy called a “big concern,” and he didn’t return until late June, 81 days later. He spent much of the year in the minors (2.21 ERA) and finished with just seven big league innings and a 9.00 ERA. He’s a Super Two, with MLBTR projecting him at $900,000.
