Dustin May's Decision on Brewers Contract Option Revealed in New Rumors After Winning World Series

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dustin May will become a free agent after declining his mutual option for the 2027 MLB season on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post .

The mutual option was worth $20 million (via Spotrac ).

May's decision comes one day after the Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in five games to win the 2026 World Series, capturing their first championship in franchise history.

He opened the 2026 season with the St. Louis Cardinals before he was sent to Milwaukee in an Aug. 3 trade .

The Brewers received May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero from St. Louis in exchange for minor league outfielders Alexander Frías and Josiah Ragsdale.

May started 21 games for the Cardinals prior to the trade, posting a 7-9 record to go along with a 4.38 ERA and 1.284 WHIP. He also recorded 106 strikeouts compared to 35 walks in 109 innings of work.

The 29-year-old's production dipped following the change of scenery, as he compiled a 5.65 ERA across 10 starts with the Brewers. Opposing batters also posted a .796 OPS against May during his time in Milwaukee.

He was primarily utilized as a bullpen piece during the Brewers' ensuing playoff run, allowing 11 hits and seven earned runs in 11 innings pitched.

Teams looking to sign May in free agency will hope that he can put his struggles in 2026 behind him, as he owned a 3.86 career ERA prior to this season.