Milwaukee, WI
‘He’s killing it right now’: Brewers catcher William Contreras putting up MVP-type numbers
Three teams and almost two years later, Josh Hader finally got the monster contract he was seeking, a five-year, $95 million deal from the Houston Astros.
It was money the Milwaukee Brewers never would have spent on a closer, especially since they already had all-star Devin Williams in place.
So, on Aug. 1, 2022, they traded Hader to the San Diego Padres in a widely panned deal that more than likely cost them a postseason berth.
“Anytime you make a decision like that, they’re challenging for the franchise and for everyone involved because of how much Josh meant to everyone here,” said general manager Matt Arnold. “But we did it for the right reasons.”
Put another way, to try to keep the Brewers competitive for the long term.
It’s a decision that’s looking awfully savvy now thanks to some additional deft maneuvering by the Brewers’ front office, which a little more than four months later flipped one of the three players acquired for Hader – outfielder Esteury Ruiz – for three others.
The crown jewel, of course, was William Contreras, who enters this weekend’s series against Hader and the Astros at Minute Maid Park having played in all 43 games, reached base in a career-best 23 straight games and in general has performed like the best all-around catcher in the game.
“We felt like we had a chance to get a frontline catcher who’d already established himself as an all-star,” said Arnold of the three-team deal that also brought right-hander Joel Payamps and minor-league righty Justin Yeager to Milwaukee.
And then there’s also left-hander Robert Gasser, acquired in the original Hader trade and off to a 2-0 start to his major-league career.
“At this point he’s probably a borderline MVP candidate, honestly,” Arnold said of Contreras. “He’s playing outstanding, so enormous credit to him and our staff for identifying him as a guy that we felt like could help us for years to come.”
William Contreras made an immediate impact with Brewers
Indeed, Contreras, now 26, came to the Brewers with a pedigree.
The younger brother of longtime Milwaukee tormentor Willson Contreras, he was coming off a season in which he hit .278 with 20 home runs, 45 runs batted in and an OPS of .860 as only a part-time player on an immensely talented Atlanta Braves team.
Moving over to his new team, Contreras would immediately slot in as the everyday catcher – and flourish.
He set career highs in virtually every offensive category with a .289 average, 38 doubles, 17 homers and 78 runs batted in and rated among the best backstops in the game defensively in several key metrics.
It all added up to an 11th-place finish in balloting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award, a Silver Slugger Award (first for a catcher in franchise history) and recognition as the Brewers’ team MVP as voted by the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
“You see it right away,” said run prevention coordinator Walker McKinven, who’s probably worked more closely with Contreras since the team acquired him than any other coach. “He’s obviously a physical dude, and he’s very, very serious about his work. He wants to get it done, and he wants to do it very, very well.
“He goes hard – even off the field. It’s amazing, it really is.”
Showing his durability
How to set the bar even higher? Try to play every day, for starters.
While it’s highly unlikely Contreras will be able to get to 162 games, the ability to log starts at designated hitter with another decorated backstop in Gary Sánchez able to fill in behind the plate should help save on some of the typical wear and tear he’d experience.
Following Wednesday’s 10-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Contreras and shortstop Willy Adames have each started all 43 games for the Brewers. That’s the longest streak to start a season by Milwaukee teammates since Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun both started the first 56 games in 2011.
“I know that I haven’t taken a day off yet,” said Contreras, whose split so far is 35 starts at catcher and eight at DH. “We’ve gotten to this point in the season and I’m playing pretty well and feeling really good, so I don’t think I’m ready for that day off yet. I come to the stadium every day and get my body ready to play and go out there and play the game.
“Maybe down the line there’ll be a day off.”
Added McKinven: “The Contreras brothers are built a little different. They’re just they’re tough as hell. They work their tails off.”
Contreras is built more like an NFL running back at 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds and extremely athletic for his position (double-digit stolen bases aren’t out of the realm of possibility) so if he’s able to remain healthy, playing most every day would appear to be a realistic goal.
‘Contreras is out of his mind’
And so far, no one can argue with the numbers Contreras is putting up.
He has been Milwaukee’s most consistent offensive threat with a .359 average (second in the majors behind only Shohei Ohtani’s .363), 20 extra-base hits (including six homers), 34 RBI (tied for fifth in the majors) and OPS of .987 (tied for fifth in the majors).
Contreras has reached base in 40 of his 43 games and his 23-game streak is the longest in the majors currently. Over those 23 games, he’s batting .364 with eight doubles, a triple, two homers, 14 RBI, 21 runs scored and 13 walks.
“Contreras is out of his mind,” manager Pat Murphy said after Contreras fell a double shy of a cycle Wednesday. “It’s epic, what he’s doing. Like, every at-bat. He’s killing it right now.”
Defensively, Contreras’s pitch framing hasn’t been as good as last season (minus-2 runs) but he’s blocking the ball well once again and with eight baserunners caught stealing is already halfway to his 2023 total in one-third the innings (313).
Game-calling receives praise
Where Contreras has really upped his game and been receiving rave reviews is his game-calling. Rarely a day goes by that Murphy doesn’t tip his cap to Contreras for maximizing the talents of Milwaukee’s injury plagued staff, and it’s a trait that has earned the Puerto Cabello, Venezuela native kudos throughout the organization as well.
“We have full trust in him,” said McKinven. “We give him the information, but we also give him the freedom because he’s so good back there with his feel for the hitter, feel for the pitcher on the mound for us and and just his feel for the game and where it’s at. We have just this this ultimate confidence in him.
“Pitchers want to throw to him. We want him behind the plate. We live and die with the decisions he makes back there. And that’s a good feeling from a coaching staff perspective and specifically from someone who has a large hand in the game planning and how we pitch certain guys.”
Arnold also loves the intangibles Contreras brings to the table. He even goes all out in his celebratory high fives, a lesson Arnold joked he learned the hard way once when Contreras unleashed one on him.
“William, in terms of what he does, it’s hard to measure when it comes to game prep and working with our pitchers, his catch-and-throw ability and everything you don’t necessarily see on the on the back of the baseball card,” he said. “He’s just grown immensely in all those facets in a way that makes him even more valuable than you can measure.”
Aside from the obvious physical ability and production Contreras brings to the table, he’s also an absolute bargain with a salary of only $766,900. Contreras isn’t arbitration eligible until 2025 – he’s just two years’ service time with 337 games to his credit – and won’t hit free agency until 2028, which would seemingly make him a prime extension target for the Brewers.
“I’m always open to those kinds of things,” Arnold said. “We’ve been able to do that in select situations and certainly he would be one of the types of players that you’d want to consider for that, absolutely. He’s put himself in that position as a player of his caliber.”
It takes two to tango, however, and when asked about the topic several weeks ago Contreras said there had been no discussions on that front to that point.
“I’m not interested in that,” he said. “I’m here playing my game, and I know my time is going to come.”
Best catcher in baseball?
Admittedly biased, McKinven said it’s his opinion Contreras is currently the best catcher in the game. Also on the short list would be Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals and JT Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies.
What does Contreras himself think?
“I don’t know,” he said. “There’s so many good guys now, I don’t have an idea.”
Contreras was asked if he was being modest.
“Like I said, too many guys,” he said. “I don’t know who’s the best catcher in baseball. I don’t want to hear too much about that because I want to stay focused.”
Switching gears slightly, Contreras was offered the opportunity to confirm he’s better than his brother, currently on the injured list with the St. Louis Cardinals after suffering a broken forearm in a freak play last week.
“I don’t know,” he said, cracking a smile. “We’re both really good players and we always compete for everything.”
It’s a fun conversation to have for the Brewers, who haven’t had a catcher of this caliber since the days of Jonathan Lucroy save for the all-star season they got out of Yasmani Grandal in 2019.
Then there’s the somewhat unexpected contributions of Payamps, previously a career journeyman who quickly assumed a high-leverage role in the back end of the Brewers’ bullpen and is 8-6 with a 3.01 ERA, WHIP of 1.10, seven saves and 31 holds in 84 appearances.
Gasser, who turns 25 on May 31, is the Brewers’ second-best pitching prospect and has helped solidify a patchwork rotation that’s been hit hard by injury.
All in all, it’s been quite the haul for Milwaukee, which no doubt is hoping Hader – 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 18 appearances – remains off his game for another weekend.
As for Ruiz, he’s hitting .216 for the Oakland A’s. Last season he led the American League with 67 stolen bases but hit just .254 and was dinged for an incredible minus-20 defensive runs saved in the outfield.
“I think on the Brewers’ end it was a good business decision,” said Contreras. “Hader was going into free agency (after the 2023 season). The Brewers got me in the package and there were some other good players that ended up coming over here in turn from the deal.”
Every morning throughout Summerfest 2026, we’ll deliver a guide that covers the day’s entertainment and how you can get in the gate free of charge. This is where you’ll find info about the AmFam Amp headliners, eclectic picks from our knowledgeable staff and the music lineup for the day (see the full 2026 Summerfest lineup here).
Today at the AmFam Amp + Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1
Carín León, 7 p.m.
For the first time in the festival’s 58-year history, a Spanish-language artist is headlining the main amphitheater. As a Mexican, it’s super exciting to see rising stars bring our music and vibrant dancing to an entirely new crowd. Hearing live banda is a whole new world and something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. Think of it as a taste of what Mexican Fiesta brings to the lakefront every August (coming very soon, too!). Grab a beer your boots and your tickets to witness a very special moment.
— Leslie Garcia Ramirez
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
The Academy Is… @ Miller Oasis, 10:30 p.m.
In the midst of the emo and screamo wave of the early to mid 2000s, this Midwest band made a name for themselves. Still, you may have missed The Academy Is… like I did.
Fortunately, I got some help after becoming a diehard fan boy of the Milwaukee indie-rock outfit Whips (RIP! 😢) and discovered that band wasn’t Milwaukee-based drummer Andy Mrotek’s first rodeo. Mrotek was with The Academy Is… almost from day one, did his own thing when the group broke up and returned when they got back together a few years back.
Since reconnecting, the band have been touring and recording, and this past March they released their most recent album — their first in nearly 20 years. Whether you’re a fan of The Academy Is… or just loved the genre, reunite with your mid-2000s self and check them out at the Miller Oasis (and come early to check out fellow emo greats Braid, which you may hear about momentarily).
— Jay Burseth
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3
Braid @ Miller Oasis, 8:30 p.m.
Hailing from the Midwest Emo Holy Land of Champaign, Ill., Braid is the sonic personification of everything it means to grow up in the chilling plains of Middle America. The stinging lyrics and pouting guitars amalgamate to anthems that have had angsty teens in a chokehold since well before their landmark 1998 album, Frame and Canvas.
This posse of sad dads is set to take on the Miller Oasis, making their return to the Summerfest grounds for the first time since 2015, when they closed the set with their love note for our great city, “Milwaukee Sky Rocket.” Braid’s irrefutable impact on our city’s emo scene will be sure to draw in kickers and screamers from all over, and you won’t want to miss it.
— Matthew Poulton
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #4
Trapper Schoepp @ Uline Warehouse, 5:30 p.m.
It’s always a special treat to see Milwaukee bands playing Summerfest. I get excited to think about all the new fans our local artists reach when they hit the stage — something singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp has experienced a time or two over his wonderful career.
One of Milwaukee’s true artists, Schoepp’s career in music literally started as an accident. While recuperating from a BMX-related back injury, he heard Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” and was inspired to pick up a guitar as a “safer” hobby. He put out his first record at the age of 17 with his brother Tanner; he’s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Nicole Atkins and Wilco; and — almost two decades later — he’s still one of those musicians who seems to thrive onstage.
Schoepp’s songs are a slice of Americana with a bit of a punk-rock edge. He sings about the nostalgia of his youth on Bay Beach Amusement Park, and his journey through addiction and recovery on new album Osborne. Will he come out into the crowd and play guitar while standing on the benches with you? Check out the show this today and find out for yourself.
How to get in free today
Briggs & Stratton United Way Diaper & Wipe Drive
Help United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County provide essential diapers and wipes to families across the community. Between noon and 3 p.m., the first 1,500 patrons who donate new unopened wipes or diapers with a total minimum value of $10 per person will receive one free admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All donations benefit United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Diaper Bank network.
Summerfest schedule for Saturday, June 20
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
American Family Insurance House
- 4 p.m. — Weston Estate
- 2 p.m. — Flipturn
BMO Pavilion
- 9 p.m. — David Lee Roth
- 7:15 p.m. — Kirstie Kraus
- 5:30 p.m. — Substitute: Tales From The Who
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:30 p.m. — The Academy Is…
- 8:30 p.m. — Braid
- 6:30 p.m. — The Juliana Theory
- 4:30 p.m. — Colin Bracewell
- 2:45 p.m. — American Progress
- 1:15 p.m. — IDKCONUNDRUM
T-Mobile Stage
- 10:15 p.m. — Nate Smith
- 8:15 p.m. — McCoy Moore
- 6:15 p.m. — Scott Wolverton
- 4:15 p.m. — Rhys Rutherford
- 2:30 p.m. — Will Terry
- 12:45 p.m. — Lauren Gottshall
Generac Power Stage
- 9:30 p.m. — Flipturn
- 7:30 p.m. — Penelope Road
- 5:30 p.m. — Winyah
- 3:30 p.m. — Old Mervs
- 2 p.m. — Tobacco Road
- 12:30 p.m. — The Band Solstice
Uline Warehouse
- 9:30 p.m. — Christopher Cross
- 7:30 p.m. — Don Felder
- 5:30 p.m. — Trapper Schoepp
- 3:30 p.m. — A.J. Croce
- 2 p.m. — Kenneth Brian Band
- 12:30 p.m. — Milly & The Mayhem
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Connor Price
- 8 p.m. — Weston Estate
- 6 p.m. — Graham
- 4 p.m. — SM6
- 2:30 p.m. — Noah Richardson
- 1 p.m. — Sarah Krohn
Aurora Pavilion
- 9 p.m. — Aspen
- 7 p.m. — Dexter & The Moonrocks
- 5:45 p.m. — Red Leather
- 4:30 p.m. — Altered By Mom
- 3:15 p.m. — Cigarettes @ Sunset
- 2:15 p.m. — Candy Cigarette
- 1:45 p.m. — Woraz
- 1:15 p.m. — Take Back the Sun
- 12:45 p.m. — White Paper Walls
- 12:15 p.m. — Mala Mala
SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A South Milwaukee homeowner is pushing back after the city ordered him to take down his year-round skeleton display, calling it a violation of property maintenance codes.
Sean Oster and his wife have maintained the display — featuring skeletons named Hector and Henrietta along with other decorations— for nearly two years, dressing them up for holidays, sports events, and other occasions.
Mike Beiermeister
The display has drawn attention from neighbors and passersby, with some saying it has become part of the neighborhood’s character.
Watch: South Milwaukee homeowner fights city order to remove year-round skeleton display
South Milwaukee homeowner fights city order to remove year-round skeleton display
“It’s like an expression of the owner’s passion… and I think it’s cool they can use their lawn that way,” neighbor Jeremy Payment said.
Mike Beiermeister
Last month, Oster received a letter from the city of South Milwaukee describing the skeletons as Halloween decorations being displayed outside the appropriate time of year and ordering him to remove them by July 7.
Under the city’s property maintenance code, yards must be kept free of anything considered an “unreasonable blighting influence,” which the city says can include displays left up out of season. The notice also flagged an inoperable vehicle on the property. Each violation could result in fines of up to $500 per day if not corrected by the deadline.
Oster says he understands part of the city’s concern.
“They have a few points… I’ve got a couple collector cars… I understand those shouldn’t be out,” Oster said.
Mike Beiermeister
He plans to move the cars into the garage and clean up the yard, but says the skeletons are staying.
“I don’t think it’s hurting anybody. It’s literally a victimless crime,” Oster said.
Oster also had a message for whoever filed the complaint.
“Live with it… more people like it than hate it. And if we’re enforcing this, then we should go around and take down Christmas lights that are up year-round,” Oster said.
The city administrator did not respond to a request for comment.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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The Milwaukee Bucks’ impending trading of Giannis Antetokounmpo to a new team has been the buzziest NBA story since the New York Knicks won the title. But what if it never happens?
The stars are aligning for the Bucks to pitch a narrative to Giannis that for the second straight transaction cycle they’ve dangled him to the rest of the Association and gotten a tepid response.
A few teams, like the Miami Heat, have been clearly interested. Many others, like the Boston Celtics, seem much more cautious and coy about their pursuit of the Greek Freak. Juggernauts like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are less than a Giannis away from winning the championship, and neither team even seems willing to bid.
Even Miami’s dogged pursuit may not include exhausting every possible means to add Giannis. After all, he’s into his 30s now, with a lot of basketball miles between NBA and international competition, and his representatives want a seat at the table, plus the injury history is getting extensive…
The important distinction, as @Anthony_Chiang and I, and @EthanJSkolnick have noted, is while only Bam is off limits, the Heat cannot in good conscience offer every single good young player and every single available first and every pick swap. Most, sure. But offer everything…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) June 18, 2026
And then there’s the Bucks, an organization so committed to winning with Giannis they waived and stretched Damian Lillard last summer because they thought adding Myles Turner would lead to the next great Milwaukee frontcourt following Brook Lopez’s decline. There’s a pitch to be made right now from Jon Horst and the Bucks’ leadership that there’s no other NBA team out there who wants to win with Giannis as badly as they do.
Outside from the human element of feeling wanted, there are more tangible elements in play. Giannis can’t sign his next massive extension until October 1 with Milwaukee, or six months following a trade if he is dealt. If his next team is hesitant to give up players or picks to trade for Giannis, is there really any guarantee that a max extension is on the table in 2027?
The collective bargaining agreement’s extension rules offer somewhat of a double-edged sword in this case. It hurts the Bucks’ ability to keep Giannis that he can’t formally extend until the draft and free agency are over, but also the prospect of being able to sign before suiting up in 2026-27 is more appealing to Giannis than having to wait until January or February. Especially given the series of injuries that have plagued him.
All of this sentiment and security still isn’t enough in itself for Milwaukee. The Bucks would require a plan to improve quickly to get Antetokounmpo bought in again to avoid ending up back here, but in an even more desperate spot, come February. Upgrading from Doc Rivers to Taylor Jenkins is a great start, but executing trades and smart free agent signings will be crucial.
Is it serendipitous timing that the Bucks biggest position of need is wing players and the New Orleans Pelicans reportedly want to get into the range of the 2026 NBA Draft where Milwaukee is slated to pick, with rival teams eyeing young wings Trey Murphy and Herb Jones? Notably, those same Pelicans infamously overpaid to “get their guy” last Draft.
This is more than likely some combination of pipe dream and fairy tale, given most of the reporting around Giannis continues to conclude he’ll be departing Milwaukee in the coming weeks. But even that is strangely optimistic for the Bucks, as they’ve reportedly quietly walked back ownership’s stated timeline of having a decision made by the draft.
All of that said, it still feels more likely that Giannis is traded than not. But this saga has had its share of twists and turns so far and throughout all the noise Giannis has re-signed with the Bucks. Who’s to say that couldn’t happen one more time?
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