The Milwaukee Brewers have reached a one-year agreement with catcher William Contreras, avoiding arbitration just before a scheduled hearing. The team announced the deal Thursday without disclosing financial terms, though previous arbitration figures had Contreras requesting $9.9 million while Milwaukee offered $8.55 million.

This marks the second consecutive year Contreras has avoided arbitration with the Brewers. Last season, he signed a $6.1 million contract that included a $12 million club option for 2026 with a $100,000 buyout, which Milwaukee declined. The 28-year-old catcher has been a consistent offensive presence since joining Milwaukee in a 2022 three-team trade that sent Esteury Ruiz to Oakland.

Contreras, a two-time All-Star, posted a .260 batting average with 17 home runs and 76 RBIs in 150 games last season while playing through a fractured finger. His 2025 performance represented a slight decline from his 2024 campaign when he finished fifth in NL MVP voting and won a Silver Slugger award. The Venezuelan backstop has maintained a .355 on-base percentage over his Brewers career and will look to bounce back in 2025.