It was rather cut and dry in the end. The Milwaukee Brewers confirmed later in the evening that they have tendered contracts to six other players after reaching an agreement with backup catcher Eric Haase on Friday morning on a one-year, $1.35 million deal for 2025. The group’s standout players were closer Devin Williams and team MVP William Contreras, followed by right-handers Aaron Civale, Nick Mears, Trevor Megill, and Joel Payamps.
Left-hander Hoby Milner was the only player who was not tendered, allowing him to become a free agent. “We spent a lot of time on the phone today, both with our own players and with other clubs,” assistant general manager Matt Kleine stated. “We’re making sure that we understand and have a feel for the market and what players may or may not become available as the day unfolds, and also just maintaining contact with the agents of the players where we may have to make a decision prior to the tender deadline.”
The Brewers and the six tendered players now will continue to work toward agreement on contracts. If that doesn’t happen by Jan. 11, the two sides exchange figures and head to arbitration.
The case of Williams, in particular, is interesting in that the Brewers held a $10.5 million team option on the right-hander that they declined earlier in the month.
Kleine described the steps involved in that approach. “It’s strong, it really is,” Kleine said of the Brewers’ connection with Williams, who has been the focus of trade rumours ever since he becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. With the MLB Winter Meetings starting in Dallas in just over two weeks, he will undoubtedly be a popular name.
