Milwaukee Brewers Sign Justin Smoak
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent first basemen Justin Smoak. The contract is for one year at five million dollars and a five and a half million club option for 2021. The deal is pending Smoak passing a physical. Smoak will make four million this year with a one million dollar buyout. This will guarantee Smoak will make five million in 2020.
Here’s the $ on Smoak. #brewers @Ken_Rosenthal also on top of it https://t.co/BINWPaDfHM
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 19, 2019
Justin Smoak’s Career
Justin Smoak 32, is a 12-year veteran first baseman who is joining his fourth organization in his career. Smoak has a career batting average of .231 with 191 HR and 555 RBI. Smoak has always been a player who won’t hit for a high average. His career-best was .270 in 2017 with the Toronto Blue Jays. But he has power and is considered a plus defender at first base.
Smoak made his Major League debut with the Texas Rangers in 2010. His Rangers career was brief as he was traded to the Seattle Mariners that same year for Cliff Lee. Smoak was a Mariner through the 2014 season but was waived when the season ended. The Blue Jays claimed Smoak on waivers in December of 2014.
As a Blue Jay Smoak has had his best seasons. In his five year career in Toronto Smoak has hit 117 HR and driven in 321 runs. Despite his low batting average of .226 Smoak has been a productive offensive player. Smoak averages about a strikeout for every four at-bats.
Brewers Outlook
This has been a very busy offseason for the Brewers. Ryon Healy and Eric Sogard were both signed for their depth and versatility. After losing Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal to free agency and releasing Eric Thames the Brewers have money to spend with holes to fill.
Catcher Omar Narvaez was added in a trade to replace Grandal. Outfielder Trent Grisham and pitcher Zach Davies were also traded for infielder Luis Urias and pitcher Eric Lauer. Outfielder Avisail Garcia was signed to join Lorenzo Cain and a healthy Christain Yelich in a now formidable outfield. Ryan Braun will be used in the outfield as well as first base.
The Brewers have signed free agent starting pitchers Josh Lindblom and Brett Anderson. They join a rotation anchored by Brandon Woodruff. Adrian Houser and Lauer also round out the rotation. Brent Suter now one year removed from Tommy John surgery could also make the starting rotation.
After losing the Wild Card game to the Washington Nationals in heartbreaking fashion the Brewers are loading up or another run. With an excellent everyday lineup and an improved pitching staff, 2020 could be the year the Brewers make their first World Series appearance since 1982.
