The Megill Brewers are facing a sizable arbitration picture this offseason. MLB Trade Rumors projected 16 arbitration-eligible Brewers to cost $59.1 million in 2026, a number led by William Contreras, Brice Turang and Megill.
The projection is a useful snapshot of how quickly arbitration costs can stack up for a team with several core players in that process. William Contreras was projected at $14.6 million, while Brice Turang came in at $9.5 million and Megill at $8 million. Those three alone account for a large share of the overall total.
Why the number stands out
William Contreras is already under club control through 2027, and last winter he and the Brewers avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a $9.4 million salary for 2026 with a $14.5 million club option for 2027. A projection above that figure shows just how much his value has risen in the arbitration market.
Contreras remains one of the Brewers' most important players, and his 2026 projection reflects that status. He has been a steady producer, and the club option for 2027 gives Milwaukee an extra layer to consider as it plans ahead.
Brice Turang is in a different stage of the process. Last season, he earned $4.15 million in arbitration as a Super Two, and MLB Trade Rumors now projects him at $9.5 million for 2026. Turang remains under club control through 2029, so the Brewers have time, but his arbitration costs are rising quickly.
Other notable names in the group
Megill was projected at $8 million after avoiding arbitration last year on a one-year, $4.7 million deal for 2026. He will be a free agent after 2027, which adds another layer to Milwaukee's planning.
Andrew Vaughn and William Contreras are both set to hit free agency after 2027, while Megill also reaches free agency after that season. That means the Brewers are not just budgeting for 2026 salaries; they are also weighing how many of these players remain part of the long-term core.
MLB Trade Rumors released its annual arbitration projections before the upcoming offseason, and the broader system could still change if a new collective bargaining agreement alters the rules. The article also notes that arbitration would be frozen in the event of a lockout, another reminder that the process is tied to the league's labor situation as much as the players themselves.
For the Brewers, the takeaway is simple: arbitration is not a side issue. With 16 players projected to cost $59.1 million, the club's offseason ledger is already taking shape around a handful of important names.
