The cast of “Psych”, then and now: See James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, and more nearly 20 years later

Psychhas had the kind of longevity that few other crime shows of its kind have sustained. The USA detective dramedy that first aired in 2006 centers on an amateur sleuth named Shawn (James Roday Rodriguez), whose preternaturally keen eye for observation convinces the police he must have psychic powers. This leads him to open up a private detective agency with his best friend, Gus (Dulé Hill), and hijinks ensue.

Beloved for the chemistry of its two leads and its light-hearted tone,Psychquickly developed a hardcore fanbase that led to atrilogy of TV movies— with a fourth in development. In between, Rodriguez, Hill, and their costars have all sustained impressive careers. Ahead, find out what the cast ofPsychhas been up to since the original series ended in 2014.

James Roday Rodriguez (Shawn Spencer)

James Roday Rodriguezappeared to be having the time of his life playing Shawn, engaging in silly banter and running rings around the other characters.

"When I look back at the pilot, obviously I look back at it fondly because it was the beginning of everything and it was a seed that had to be planted," Rodgrigueztold EW in 2016in celebration of the series premiere's 10th anniversary, "but when I look at the stuff that we were doing later, even as early as season two, I'm like, 'Oh, wow, we sort of turned a corner.'"

Following his work onPsych,Rodriguez played Gary Mendez on the ABC dramaA Million Little Thingsfor five seasons from 2018 to 2023, and has had recurring roles on such shows asThe ResidentandHigh Potential.

The actor has also been active as a horror screenwriter and director. He co-wrote the 2006 filmSkinwalkers, co-wrote and directed the 2015 horror-comedyGravy, and co-wrote and directed the feature-length TV episodeTreehouse, which aired as part of Hulu's horror anthologyInto the Dark.He also voiced a character in the animated zombie movieNight of the Animated Dead(2021) alongside Dulé Hill.

Rodriguez dated hisPsychcostar Maggie Lawson throughout the series' run from 2006 to 2014.

Dulé Hill (Burton "Gus" Guster)

Dulé Hillplayed Gus, who is also known as Peter Panic, Longbranch Pennywhistle, and an endless variety of other silly nicknames bestowed upon him by his friend and partner, Shawn.

Hill rose to fame as presidential aide Charlie Young onThe West Wing, for which he received an Emmy nomination. He left at the beginning of season 7 to star inPsych, but returned for the final few episodes of the series.

"A lot of times when things are really funny to me, in the back of mind or deep down, I'm thinking, 'This is so funny for you. If you break right now, there's no way the audience will see this thing right here,'" Hilltold EW in 2010, of trying not to laugh on set. "My mind just says, 'Hold it together.' I try to stay in it as long as I can, as hard as I can. Part of the fun is trying to stay in it, trying to get through it. Sometimes I break up."

AfterPsych, Hill had a recurring role on the HBO sports comedy-dramaBallersand was a series regular onSuitsfor its last three seasons. In 2021, Hill joined the ABC reboot ofThe Wonder Yearsas Bill Williams, the main character's father. The show ran for two seasons, ending in 2023.

Hill was married to actress Nicole Lyn from 2004 to 2012. In 2018, he married hisBallerscostar Jazmyn Simon, and adopted her daughter. A year later, they welcomed a son, Levi. Simon also appeared in thePsychmovies as Selene, Gus' onscreen partner.

Timothy Omundson (Carlton "Lassie" Lassiter)

Timothy Omundsonplayed the grouchy but good-hearted Det. Carlton Lassiter, known affectionately to Shawn and Gus as "Lassie." BeforePsych, Omundson had a recurring role as the mystical healer Eli on the syndicated seriesXena: Warrior Princess. He then played Sean Potter on the CBS legal drama Judging Amy from 2000 to 2005.

Filming the secondPsychmovie was a personal milestone for Omundson, who had suffered a stroke in 2017 and needed to relearn how to walk. The 2020 movie, subtitledLassie Come Home, was structured around this incident, with Omundson's character also recovering from a stroke.

"Mostly, it was overwhelmingly wonderful," Omundsontold EWabout returning to set. "And then it was also really kind of terrifying because I was trying to figure out how to work with my new brain and new body post-stroke, which was a very, very different process. So there was a pretty steep learning curve."

Since his recovery, Omundson has appeared as Gregory, another stroke survivor, onThis Is Usand stepped up to play Hephaestus on the Disney+ reboot seriesPercy Jackson and the Olympians.Omundson has been married to Allison Cowley since 1997. They share two daughters, Nora and Lily.

Corbin Bernsen (Henry Spencer)

Henry Spencer had always hoped that Shawn would become a detective, but the retired cop is not thrilled with his son's racket. Still, Shawn's job occasionally gives Henry the chance to get involved in some new cases.

Actor Corbin Bernsen became well-known as divorce lawyer Arnie Becker on the NBC legal dramaL.A. Law, a role he played for eight seasons from 1986 to 1994. The role earned him two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1987 and 1988.

The actor has appeared on numerous TV shows afterPsychended in 2014, includingGrace and Frankie,Billions, andFresh Off the Boat, as well as recurring roles onThe Resident,The Curse, andYour Friends & Neighbors.

Bernsen's first marriage to Brenda Cooper lasted from 1983 to 1987. In 1988, he married actress Amanda Pays, with whom he shares four sons: Oliver, Angus, Henry, and Finley.

Maggie Lawson (Juliet "Jules" O'Hara)

Maggie Lawson plays Juliet "Jules" O'Hara, a junior detective who falls for Shawn. Their will-they-won't-they relationship is finally resolved in the firstPsychmovie.

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Lawson looks back fondly on her Psych experience, even feeling the show's specialness from early on. "When I went from seeing what was on the page to seeing what Roday and Dulé were doing off the page, I was like, 'Ohhh, this is magic. We're on something magical right now,'"she recalled to TVLine in 2020.

Lawson's early television credits include appearances on the sitcomsCybill, Boy Meets World, andHome Improvement, as well as a recurring role on the Fox dramaParty of Five.

FollowingPsych, Lawson was a recurring cast member on the CBS sitcomTwo and a Half Men, the Netflix horror-comedySanta Clarita Diet, and Fox'sLethal Weapon. In 2019, Lawson appeared inTreehouse, the episode of Hulu's horror anthology seriesInto the Darkwritten and directed by James Roday Rodriguez. Lawson played Sarah Silver in the first season of the CBS cop dramaBoston Blue.

Lawson was in a relationship with Rodriguez during the show's run. She later married actor Ben Koldyke in 2015 but filed for divorce in 2017.

Kirsten Nelson (Karen Vick)

Police Chief Karen Vick hired Shawn and Gus to help the Santa Barbara P.D., and while she's unsure about Shawn's supernatural abilities, she acknowledges that he gets results.

Actress Kirsten Nelson has been active on television since the mid-1990s, booking episodes ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer,Ally McBeal,Frasier, andMalcolm in the Middle.More recently, she's appeared inBones,NCIS: New Orleans, andThis Is Us, though she's still best known forPsych.

Nelson directed the episode "1967: A Psych Odyssey" in the final season, an experience she described very positivelyto TheWrap in 2014. "I was able to talk to them as actors, as their friend, as a person who's been there and a part of that history to kind of coax those gentile nuances and I'm really proud of their performances in those moments."

Nelson has two children.

Liam James (Young Shawn)

Liam Jameswas 10 years old when he began playing young Shawn onPsych.

In 2009, James appeared in the science-fiction disaster movie2012. He went on to play the lead character in the coming-of-age dramedy filmThe Way, Way Back(2013) with Steve Carell and Toni Collette.

On television, James starred on AMC's crime drama seriesThe Killingand ABC'sThe Family. He also appeared on the Syfy seriesDeadly Class.

In 2023, James played Howard Hunt's son John in HBO's satirical political miniseriesWhite House Plumbers.

Carlos McCullers II (Young Gus)

Carlos McCullers II started his acting career in 2006 with roles onPunk'dandThe King of Queens. He began playing Young Gus onPsychin season 2 and continued until season 6.

McCullers also did some voice work onThe Cleveland Showin 2011 andFamily Guyin 2012. He later appeared in a 2013 episode of Cartoon Network'sLevel Up, which was his last screen credit.

Sage Brocklebank (Buzz McNab)

A simple soul, Officer Buzz McNab is friendly with Shawn, giving him information and access to crime scenes.

In addition to his role onPsych, Sage Brocklebank has guest-starred on a number of TV shows, includingSmallville,Once Upon a Time,Supernatural, andPeacemaker.

In addition to writing plays and producing films, Brocklebank is also a professional poker player.

Kurt Fuller (Woody Strode)

Kurt Fullerjoined the cast in season 4 as the eccentric coroner Woody Strode.

Fuller is a busy character actor with dozens of film and TV appearances. He starred in the 1989 wrestling movieNo Holds Barredalongside Hulk Hogan and played Hardemeyer in the horror-comedyGhostbusters II(1989). His other notable films includeWayne's World(1992),Scary Movie(2000),Anger Management(2003), andMidnight in Paris(2011).

Fuller appeared in several episodes ofL.A. LawwithPsychcostar Corbin Bernsen, and he's had recurring roles onDesperate Housewives, Alias, andScandal.He also played Castiel's boss, Zachariah, in seasons 4 and 5 ofSupernatural.The actor also showed up inSound of Freedom(2023) and played Dr. Kurt Boggs on the Paramount+ seriesEvil.

Fuller wed actress and author Jessica Hendra in 1993. They have two daughters, Julia and Charlotte.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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March 01, 2026

The cast of “Psych”, then and now: See James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, and more nearly 20 years later

Psychhas had the kind of longevity that few other crime shows of its kind have sustained. The USA detective dramedy that ...

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No. 7 Florida clinches share of SEC regular-season title with 111-77 blowout of Arkansas

Defending national champion Florida clinched a share of the SEC men's basketball regular-season title witha 111-77 demolitionof Arkansas on Saturday night.

The 34-point loss for Arkansas ties the worst defeat in head coach John Calipari's career. While at Kentucky, the Wildcats lost to Duke, 118-84, to open the 2018-19 season. For the Razorbacks, the margin is the worst SEC loss in program history, topping the 73-45 defeat to the Gators during the 2010-11 campaign.

"I wish it would have gone faster,"Calipari saidin his postgame press conference.

Tensions flared early in the second half between Calipari and Florida coach Todd Golden as the two coaches yelled at each other on the sideline and both drew technical fouls. Following the game, neither one of them elaborated on what was said during the exchange.

"Who knows? We're both competitors,"Calipari said. "He's done a great job. I can tell you, he out-coached me today."

"The tech, both of us were just coaching our team,"said Golden. "He's obviously a Hall of Fame coach, an incredible coach and we're just out there competing. I don't think either of us thought twice about it after it happened, but it was a little bit part of the game tonight."

The Gators improved to 14-2 in the SEC (23-6 overall), which gives them a two-game lead over Alabama with two games remaining on the regular-season schedule. Florida closes out the season by hosting Mississippi State (13-16, 5-11 SEC) and visiting Kentucky (19-10, 10-6). A win in one of those two games will clinch the conference title.

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Alabama faces Georgia (20-9, 8-8) on the road and Auburn (15-14, 6-10) at home in its final two games.

Thomas Haugh led Florida with 22 points and five rebounds, while Alex Condon added 17 points with six assists, and Rueben Chinyelu grabbed 16 rebounds. The Gators have won nine consecutive games and 18 of their past 20 since losing two in a row to No. 1 Duke and No. 6 UConn in early December.

"We're playing really good basketball right now,"Golden said afterwards. "I think we're getting contributions from a number of guys. I think that's probably allowed us to become an even better team."

"Didn't lose in February," he added later. "Got to try not to lose in March either."

With a 109-74 lead late with under a minute remaining, Golden thrilled the home fans by putting 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux in the game.

The Razorbacks were led by Billy Richmond III's 22 points and six rebounds. Darius Acuff Jr. added 17 points and six assists. Arkansas dropped to 21-8 overall, but still holds third place in the SEC at 11-5.

Calipari later joked that he must have suffered worse defeats when he began his head coaching career.

"Wait a minute. My first year at UMass, I had to have some of these," he said. "We gave up 100 more than any other team in the country that year."

The SEC men's basketball tournament begins March 11. The top four seeds receive byes through the first two rounds into the quarterfinals.

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No. 7 Florida clinches share of SEC regular-season title with 111-77 blowout of Arkansas

Defending national champion Florida clinched a share of the SEC men's basketball regular-season title witha 111-77 de...

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Calls for peace and flashes of anger after US and Israeli attacks kill Iran's Khamenei

BRUSSELS (AP) — World leaders urged peace and a return to talks Sunday as the military strikesby the United States and Israel on Iranraised concerns that the violence could spread across the region, with Iran vowing devastating blows after the killing ofSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

APTOPIX India US Israel Iran Protest

Massive explosions rocked the Iranian capital as Israel's military said it was targeting the "heart" of Tehran, a day after strikes began. Iran pressed on with its retaliation campaign, targeting U.S. military bases in Gulf states.

Iranian officials hurried to plan a future after the death of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, as some Iranians who had long suffered from political repression celebrated.

On streets around the world. there were protests in outrage or celebration. And as the exchange of fire continued, world leaders grappled with how to respond.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recognized the complexities. In recognition of the legal ambiguity of the U.S. attack, Merz said that, globally, international law was being respected less and less and there was little point in lecturing allies.

He said the Iranian regime was a "terrorist" one, endangering its citizens and the region, and therefore Germany essentially agreed with the goals of the U.S. action.

"The Federal Government shares the relief of many Iranians that this mullah regime is now coming to an end," Merz said. "Together with the United States and Israel, we share the interest in ending this regime's terror and stopping its dangerous nuclear and ballistic armament."

Like others, Merz said Germany did not know whether "the plan to bring about political change from within through external military strikes will succeed."

'What comes next is uncertain'

British Defense Minister John Healey on Sunday said Iranian missile and drone strikes came within a few hundred yards (meters) of a group of 300 British military personnel in Bahrain, and that two missiles were even fired in the direction of Cyprus, where the U.K. has bases.

"We don't believe they were targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless, it's an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region, and that requires us to act," Healey told Sky News.

Cyprus government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis posted on X that reports suggesting missiles had been fired toward Cyprus were not valid.

Top diplomats from the 27 European Union nations were holding an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the situation and next steps for the bloc.

"The death of Ali Khamenei is a defining moment in Iran's history. What comes next is uncertain," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape."

Pope Leo XIV said he was "profoundly concerned" about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and urged both sides to "stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss."

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Iran is urged to 'return to your senses'

During a U.N. Security Council on Saturday, the U.N. chief and many countries urged a halt toattacksand a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from expanding further. Secretary-General António Guterres said everything must be done to prevent an escalation.

Perhaps cautious about upsetting already strained relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, many nations, including several in the Middle East, refrained from commenting directly or pointedly on the joint strikes but condemned Tehran's retaliation.

The 22-nation Arab League called the Iranian attacks "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability." That coalition of nations has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region.

"Return to your senses ... and deal with your neighbors with reason and responsibility before the circle of isolation and escalation widens," Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the United Arab Emirates' president, told the Iranian theocracy.

Russia and China criticize the killing of Khamenei

Russian leader Vladimir Putin blasted Khamenei's killing, which he called "a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law."

"The blatant killing of the leader of a sovereign state and the incitement of regime change are unacceptable," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency. "These actions violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations."

Wang said attacking a sovereign state without U.N. Security Council authorization undermines the foundation for peace established after World War II.

Some protest and others celebrate

At least 22 people were killed in clashes with police afterhundreds of protesters stormedthe U.S. Consulate in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, authorities said.

In Iraq, hundreds wore black and waved flags belonging to Iran-backed Iraqi militias and red flags that symbolize vengeance in the Shiite Muslim faith as they marched across Sadr City to decry the killing of Khamenei.

Anger flashed at protests in Istanbul and among Shiite Muslims in India.

Demonstrations were also held from New York to Berlin and beyond by members of the Iranian diaspora and their supporters, celebrating the end of Khamenei's rule.

Iranians in Paris, Berlin and Vienna were seen cheering and dancing. Some demonstrators waved flags of the Iranian monarchy, with Israeli and U.S. flags also on display. Hopeful Iranians also took to the streets in multiple U.S. cities.

Ciobanu reported from Warsaw and Metz from Ramallah, West Bank. Reporters around the world contributed to this report.

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Calls for peace and flashes of anger after US and Israeli attacks kill Iran's Khamenei

BRUSSELS (AP) — World leaders urged peace and a return to talks Sunday as the military strikesby the United States and Is...

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Brewers keep showing small‑market savvy can match big budgets

PHOENIX — Here we go again.

TheMilwaukee Brewersare too cheap.

Too foolish, trading away their ace.

Too reckless, trading away their young star third baseman.

Surely, this will be the year their luck finally runs out, leaving their fans drowning their sorrows in beer, stuffing their faces with cheese curds, and screaming every time they hear, "Go Cubs Go," at Wrigley Field.

The Brewers hear the mockery, the taunts, the ridicule and the malice.

Their reaction?

"Honestly, we just don't care," Brewers outfielder/DH Christian Yelich says. "It's the same story every year."

MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida

So go ahead, bring it on, but please, don't take it personally if they laugh in your face.

"It's funny to us, because we don't feel like we're underdogs," Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick said. "We know we didn't go out and spend a lot of money, so that can kind of give you the underdog edge.

"But it's still a little weird to us because we win every year."

Indeed, the Brewers have dominated the NL Central for the past eight years. They've won three consecutive division titles, four of the last five, and in five of the past seven full seasons (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season). They have averaged 92.6 victories a year since 2020, including a franchise-record and major-league leading 97 victories last year.

And not once was there a single season in which they were preseason picks to win the division.

"I don't mind it, it comes with the territory," Brewers GM Matt Arnold says. "If people want to overlook us, that's fine. Really, we embrace being underdogs here."

Now, here they are this year, without ace Freddy Peralta, and without starting third baseman Caleb Durbin, joining that Brewers tradition where Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and All-Star closers Josh Hader and Devin Williams were dumped the past three years.

This was a winter where their hated rivals, theChicago Cubs, spent $209 million in free agency, while also acquiringMiami Marlinsfront-line starter Edward Cabrera in a trade.

The Brewers spent a grand total of $6.5 million.

The Cubs filled their third-base spot by signing Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract.

The Brewers filled their vacancy with Luis Rengifo on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

So, is anyone shocked that the Cubs are heavy favorites to win the NL Central, even running away with it?

The Brewers simply shrug their shoulders, yawn and grin.

"We kind of defy what's going on," starter Brandon Woodruff, 33, the longest-tenured Brewer, tells USA TODAY Sports. "We're not supposed to be doing what we're doing with our payroll and our market.

"You see what we spend, and it's like how we going to win again. Then, you think, well, we did that last year without spending, we can do it again."

What's new?

The Brewers are always counted out in March, and in October, everyone's scratching their head and wondering how they pulled it off?

"I get it, we're a small market, everyone keeps writing us off," Brewers All-Star closer Trevor Megill says. "The top team is the Dodgers, and you hear everyone saying, 'How are we or anyone else going to beat them this year?' Well, people forget we're the ones who won the most games last year."

In many aspects, the Brewers are the Major League Baseball Players Association's dream team. They're a perennial playoff team year after year despite a bottom-10 payroll, proving a salary cap isn't necessary for small-market teams to win.

"Our team is a great example of why you don't need a salary cap," Megill says. "Get creative. There's more than one way to win a baseball game. Just because you pay guys all of that money, doesn't mean they're going to the playoffs.

"Growing up watching 90's baseball and the Yankees were doing exactly what the Dodgers are doing. Everyone thought it was cool because it was happening in New York. But now that it's the West Coast, everyone seems to have a problem with it. I think it's great for baseball that we have a team that's willing to go out there and spend, while teams like us that are underdogs to write their own stories.

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"Growing up, it was the Angels. Who the hell were the Angels in '02 (winning their first World Series)? They still do the damn rally monkey nearly 30 years later. So, when teams like that pull it off, it's great for baseball."

The Brewers, simultaneously, can be the union's worst nightmare, too, proving you don't have to spend big bucks in free agency. They had the second-lowest payroll among all playoff teams last year at $115.1 million, a cool $206 million less than the Dodgers.

The Brewers have only two players earning more than $10 million this year with outfielder Christan Yelich ($26 million) and Woodruff ($22.025 million). Exactly half of the Dodgers' team is earning at least $10 million, including eight players in excess of $20 million.

"We prove," Frelick says, "that you don't need to sign 10 players to $100 million deals to be good and to compete."

No, but it sure does help, covering up any mistakes with money.

Look at the Dodgers. They dropped $72 million last season on free-agent closer Tanner Scott, who flopped in his first year. What do they do? Turn around and throw another $69 million at closer Edwin Diaz this winter, pushing Scott to a setup role.

"I don't have any problem with teams spending money as a player, that's what you want to see," Woodruff said. "Obviously, the Dodgers have more money than anybody. They're the juggernauts of Major League Baseball. But you're not going to get mad at them for spending money.

"It shows the rest of the league, hey, maybe you can spend a little more money here, too."

While the Dodgers may be driving Bentleys and Mercedes to their ballgames, with the Brewers getting around in Jeeps and pickup trucks, the two teams have averaged more than 90 victories a season, with four division titles in the past five years.

They just have different styles of getting there, with the Brewers having to trade away potential free agents and prospects to get what they desire, while the Dodgers can reach into their bank account.

"It's crazy, but I feel like the money doesn't really matter," Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz says. "The biggest payroll doesn't mean that you're going to win ballgames, and the lowest payroll doesn't mean that you're going to be the worst team in the league.

"I feel like we kind of use it as a chip on our shoulder a little bit. We just show up, handle business, and see where we are at the end of the season."

Says Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn: "We just drown out the outside noise and play our game. Once you're on the field, it's just baseball, not how much money you're making."

$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> $200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

MLB's $200+ million contracts

$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)

Still, the Brewers are constantly faced with money decisions, and budgetary concerns. The Dodgers can spend $240 million on outfielder Kyle Tucker to replace Michael Conforto and not even blink. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio paid only $223 million for the entire franchise.

The Brewers hated the idea of having to trade Peralta, their homegrown and lovable two-time All-Star who went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA last season. Yet, he's a free agent after this year, and when they couldn't reach an agreement on a contract extension, they felt the urgency to trade him. They sent him and reliever Tobias Myers to the New York Mets for prized pitching prospect Brandon Sproat and shortstop/center fielder Jett Williams, who immediately became the Brewers' No. 3 prospect.

"Losing Freddy was tough," Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby said. "Here's a guy who helped create a really awesome starting rotation here, and just a pitching culture. He was a huge piece of our success, and a model for everyone."

While everyone anticipated that Peralta likely would be traded once Woodruff accepted his $22.025 million qualifying offer, the trade of Durbin to the Boston Red Sox was stunning. Durbin, who finished third in 2025 NL Rookie of the Year balloting hitting .256 with a .721 OPS, exemplified the Brewers' blue-collar, gritty team. He was traded along with infielders Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler for left-handed pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan and infielder David Hamilton.

"It's difficult because Durbin represented how we played, what we were about," said Brewers manager Pat Murphy, the two-time NL Manager of the Year, who received a three-year, $8.95 million contract after the opening of camp. "He was as excited about getting on base by a hit-by-pitch as he was getting a line drive hit. He was all about just getting on base for us.

"I know we got a lot of pitching depth, and you look at the future, but it's still tough. I always want to remember this deal was about the big picture."

The deal certainly raised eyes throughout the industry, even with the Brewers replacing Durbin with the signing of Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. Yet, inside the clubhouse, they didn't blink. They've watched Arnold work his magic over the years, stealing pitcher Quinn Priester from the Red Sox last season (13-3 with a 3.32 ERA) and hitting the jackpot by acquiring Vaughn from the White Sox, who hit nine homers with 46 RBI and a .869 OPS in 64 games.

"It's kind of how it is here," Brewers center fielder Blake Perkins says. "They make these trades every year, and everyone gets a little skeptical like, 'I don't know about this,' and they work out great.

"The big thing they do here is their due diligence on the type of people they want in the clubhouse that mesh well with everybody. They're big on that. Everyone's talented in this game, but they make sure everyone meshes well seamlessly. This team is perfect for me."

Said Arnold: "We're not looking for Boy Scouts everywhere, but you've got to have the right guys, guys that are willing to compete and play hard. There's a certain brand of player that we're looking at who fits in our clubhouse."

It's this culture why Woodruff says it was a no-brainer to accept the qualifying offer as a free agent to return to Milwaukee. He loves the city. Adores the fans. And feels completely at peace in the clubhouse.

"There's no place I'd rather be," said Woodruff, the Brewers' 11th-round draft pick in 2014. "Everyone gets it here. I know we've traded away some pieces, but the front office does a great job here. They don't make moves just to make moves. Sometimes the public doesn't necessarily see it, but they always have a reason behind it.

"I mean, they're obviously trying to set up moves for the future and to keep us competitive, but at the same time, we know how to win baseball games."

They've got the NL Central flags to prove it.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Brewers keep showing MLB you don't need big money to win

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March 01, 2026

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