6:50 p.m.: Murphy’s deal comes with $8.95MM in new money, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.
5:50 p.m.: The Brewers and manager Pat Murphy have agreed to a new contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Three-year contract with club option for 2029. Murphy was previously set to enter the final season of a three-year contract he signed ahead of the 2024 campaign. The deal reworks the final year of his previous deal, adding two guaranteed seasons and an option.
It’s no surprise that the Brewers and Murphy struck a deal to keep their relationship going. Murphy took over the last two seasons after that Craig Counsell surprisingly from the rival Cubs. The Brewers didn’t miss a beat, going 93-69 in 2024 and winning the National League Central title. Murphy won NL Manager of the Year honors in his first season at the helm. The club was eliminated from the Wild Card round but voting for the awards took place before the playoffs.
That was the case last year. The Brewers increased their win total to 97, which was enough to repeat as a team and was actually the best record in the majors. Murphy also took home Manager of the Year honors. The club advanced all the way to the NLCS but was eliminated by the Dodgers.
As mentioned, Murphy had originally signed a three-year contract when he took over at Counsel and had already completed two-thirds of that contract. Teams generally don’t like their managers or executives to work in a limp situation. Given Milwaukee’s success during Murphy’s tenure, it seems likely that his contract situation will change before the 2026 campaign begins.
While there is consistency in the manager’s seat, the lineup has changed. Most notably, Freddy Peralta again Tobias Myers they were traded to the Mets Jett Williams again Brandon Sproat. Another great thing is the saw Caleb Durbin sent to the Red Sox as part of a trade that included six players and a draft pick.
Murphy has the experience to guide the club through these changes. The Brewers traded Corbin Burns to the Orioles before Murphy’s first season. Before the 2025 campaign, Willy Adams he left the Giants in free agency as well Devin Williams was traded to the Yankees. Despite the notable departures, the club continued to have success in the regular season.
Going to 2026, the club expects more success but the phase will be difficult. The Cubs and Reds both clinched Wild Card spots last year and have made big moves to improve in 2026. More chicks Alex Bregman again Edward Cabreraamong others. The Reds were able to add Eugenio Suárez. The Pirates have one of the best farm systems in baseball and they delivered Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn again Marcell Ozuna this winter.
Despite a strong field, the Brewers will enter 2026 as one of the favorites for another strong performance. Murphy will look to get them back to the playoffs and, well, advance them to the postseason.
Photos courtesy of Kirby Lee, Mark Hoffman, Imagn Photos
