Brewers Shock Fans, Let Hoskins and Quintana Walk—What’s Next for MLB’s Biggest Free Agents?

Picture this: the Milwaukee Brewers just flipped the script for three of their key players heading into the 2026 season. Rhys Hoskins, the first baseman, and lefty pitcher José Quintana are suddenly free agents, after the team decided to nix their mutual options. You don’t see those moves every day, especially considering Hoskins’ $18 million option was on the table — now he’s walking away with a $4 million buyout wrapping up that hefty $34 million deal over two years. Quintana’s mutual option was pitched at $15 million, with a $2 million cushion for his exit. And let’s not forget William Contreras, a two-time All-Star catcher — the Brewers declined his $12 million club option, offering just a $100,000 buyout instead. That decision leaves him potentially eligible for arbitration this November, but free agency looms on the horizon for him come 2027. What’s wild is how each has battled through ups and downs this season — Hoskins with a thumb injury sidelining him for two months, Quintana tossing 24 starts with a solid 3.96 ERA, and Contreras hitting respectable numbers despite a fractured finger. This shakeup raises plenty of questions about Milwaukee’s moves going forward — are they playing the long game or just clearing cap space? Either way, the ripple effect in the free-agent pool is going to be felt. LEARN MORE

MILWAUKEE (AP) — First baseman Rhys Hoskins and left-hander José Quintana are heading to free agency after the Milwaukee Brewers declined their 2026 mutual options on Tuesday.

Milwaukee declined an $18 million option on Hoskins, who receives a $4 million buyout that completes a $34 million, two-year contract. Quintana had a $15 million mutual option and receives a $2 million buyout.

Milwaukee also declined a $12 million club option on two-time All-Star catcher William Contreras, who gets a $100,000 buyout. Contreras would be eligible for arbitration if he is tendered a 2026 contract by the Nov. 21 deadline. He is on track to be eligible for free agency after the 2027 season.

Hoskins, 32, batted .237 with a .332 on-base percentage, 12 homers and 43 RBIs in 90 games this season after exercising his $18 million player option for 2025.. He missed two months with a sprained left thumb, got moved to a bench role upon his return and was left off the Brewers’ postseason roster.

Quintana, 36, went 11-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 24 starts this season. He gave up three runs over five innings in two postseason appearances.

Contreras, 27, hit .260 with a .355 on-base percentage, 17 homers and 76 RBIs in 150 games while dealing with a fractured left middle finger for much of the season.