Brewers Reportedly Signing Former Blue Jays All-Star Justin Smoak
By Chris Russo
After losing Mike Moustakas, the Milwaukee Brewers are replenishing their infield through free agency.
The Brewers have signed former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak.
Justin Smoak’s contract with Milwaukee includes a club option for $5.5 million in 2021. He’ll be paid $4 million this year, and the option has a $1 million buyout, guaranteeing him at least $5 million on the deal. @JonHeyman and @Ken_Rosenthal were on it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2019
Smoak just finished his 10th MLB season, in which he contributed 22 home runs and 61 RBI across 121 games. His power production should help fill in admirably following the loss of Eric Thames. The slugger is just two years removed from an All-Star campaign during which he slugged 38 homers and added 90 RBI.
He's also an excellent fielder, sporting a .996 career fielding percentage, which has him behind only Paul Goldschmidt for an active first baseman (and among the top 10 in MLB history).
Smoak switch hits, but will likely get most of his starts against righties, given the construction of the #Brewers' roster.
— Derek VanRiper (@DerekVanRiper) December 19, 2019
Smoak's wRC+ splits vs. RHP/LHP...
2019: 108/85
2018: 136/91
2017: 125/162 https://t.co/kDoJT4DcGf
This week alone, the Brew Crew brought back Eric Sogard, signed Ryon Healy, and added outfielder Avisail Garcia.
The Brewers have done a good job of signing solid veteran players on a budget after losing some key players in Moustakas, Trent Grisham and Yasmani Grandal.