By Eric Katz
Since Pat Murphy took over as manager, the Milwaukee Brewers have continued to have
success. Under Murphy, the team has compiled a .583 winning percentage, won back-to-back
NL Central division titles, and last season appeared in the NLCS for the first time since 2018.
Individually, the 67-year-old has won NL Manager of the Year honors the previous two seasons.
Pretty good for a guy who was only interviewed as a courtesy. However, heading into the 2026
season, Pat Murphy has only one year left on his current contract. Given all that he’s
accomplished, Murphy is due for a hefty pay raise in his next contract. If Milwaukee wants to
prevent him from getting away, they should extend Pat Murphy right away.
Pat Murphy has accomplished a lot in two seasons as the Brewers’ skipper. Since Murphy has
been manager, Milwaukee has compiled a .583 winning percentage and won back-to-back NL
Central titles. Last season, he led the Brewers to their best season in franchise history, winning
97 games and advancing to the NLCS for the first time since 2018. Young players like Jackson
Chourio, Caleb Durbin, Chad Patrick, and Jacob Misiorowski have thrived under his tutelage.
Individually, Murphy himself has won NL Manager of the Year honors in the last two seasons.
The only other managers to accomplish that feat are Hall of Famer Bobby Cox and current Rays
skipper Kevin Cash.
After the 2026 season, Pat Murphy’s contract is set to expire, effectively making him a free
agent. Unfortunately for the Brewers, the 67-year-old is no longer just valued by the team. The
two-time-manager-of-the-year has gained respect around the league from veteran players,
opposing managers, and front offices. Given the success he’s had with the Brewers on meager
payrolls, teams will be clamoring to make him their next manager.
Currently, Pat Murphy is making an estimated $1.3 million per year. This put him in 18 th among
MLB managers. The only managers making less who made the postseason last year were Dan
Wilson and John Schneider. It should be noted that the only current manager who’s had success
with similar constraints is Kevin Cash. Given all that he’s accomplished, Pat Murphy is due for a
hefty pay raise.
Unlike Craig Counsell, Pat Murphy has shown no signs of wanting to leave, nor is he auditioning
for other teams. Heck, he hasn’t even commented on his expiring contract or entering this
season as a lame duck manager. However, it also could be that Murphy can now receive full
social security benefits, and who knows how much longer he wants to manage. Milwaukee
can’t assume that the current peace will last forever. It’ll only be a matter of time before the
media noise grows louder about his expiring contract.
Pat Murphy has done an amazing job as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. What he’s
accomplished in two seasons is what all managers dream about. However, the 67-year-old is no
longer valued by just the Brewers. Next offseason, there will be plenty of teams clamoring for
him to be their next manager. The media noise will only get louder, the longer Milwaukee waits
to address Murphy’s contract. While the Brewers were able to recover from Craig Counsell’s
departure, it’ll be very difficult for them to do it again if they let Pat Murphy get away.
