Brewers Surprisingly Decline Eric Thames' Option for 2020 Season
By Karl Rasmussen
The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to make a deep postseason run in 2020, but in order to do so they'll likely need to shuffle up parts of the roster.
Well, in a surprising move, the Brewers declined the option on Eric Thames, making the slugging first baseman a free agent.
The #Brewers have exercised the 2020 club option on C Manny Piña and declined the 2020 club option on 1B Eric Thames, who becomes a free agent.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) November 4, 2019
RHP Corey Knebel and RHP Bobby Wahl have been reinstated from the 60-day injured list. pic.twitter.com/AbrICLLbol
Thames will now join Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas as other Brewers hitting the open market.
Despite trading Jesus Aguilar to the Tampa Bay Rays mid-season, the Brewers didn't retain Thames, meaning there will be a gap to fill in the offseason at first base. Could Ryan Braun be that guy with Trent Grisham emerging as a starting outfielder?
Brewers cut loose Eric Thames rather than pick up his $7.5M option. That's a bit of a surprise. https://t.co/jWxfHSWJdv
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) November 4, 2019
In 2019, Thames slashed .247/.346/.505 with 25 homers and 61 RBI across 459 plate appearances in 149 games. His 2020 option was worth $7.5 million.
The move comes a few hours after dealing Chase Anderson to the Blue Jays, a transaction which opened up an additional $8.5 million on the payroll.
Thames has been in Milwaukee for the past three seasons and has smacked 72 home runs since making the return to MLB from Korea, but now the Brew Crew will likely look to use the $16 million they freed up on a starting pitcher.