The Milwaukee Brewers are in a challenging position regarding their star catcher William Contreras, who is currently dealing with a fractured left middle finger. Contreras, in his third season with the Brewers, has previously excelled, earning two All-Star selections and two Silver Slugger awards while establishing himself as one of the top defensive catchers in the league. However, his performance this season has notably declined, as he is batting just .242 with a .682 OPS, both the lowest figures since the beginning of his career.
On the day of the trade, the Brewers acquired catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for infield prospect Jadher Areinamo. Jansen has shown significant prowess against left-handed pitching this season and could take on a larger role in the wake of Contreras’s struggles and injury. While the organization is weighing the option of placing Contreras on the injured list, doing so could mean he requires season-ending surgery, which adds urgency to their decision-making process at the catcher position.
With Contreras under team control for two more seasons and scheduled to be a free agent in 2028, the Brewers face a critical juncture. Should they choose to place him on the injured list, it would allow them to evaluate Jansen’s potential in a full-time capacity moving forward. This situation presents an opportunity for Milwaukee to prepare for future seasons while managing Contreras’s recovery.
Despite the current challenges, there remains hope that Contreras can rebound and return to his previous form if he can fully heal, and Jansen’s presence could help mitigate any gaps in performance in the meantime. The Brewers’ management will need to balance immediate needs with long-term goals as they navigate this pivotal moment in their season.