The top free agent catcher left on the market has agreed to a 1-year, $18.25 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The reigning NL Central champions were looking for an upgrade behind the plate after disappointing production at the position last year, and Grandal will certainly help them to improve.
Grandal, a 7-year MLB veteran, is highly-rated both offensively and defensively.
The 30-year-old backstop has spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite a relatively low .240 career batting average, he is renowned for his power and ability to draw walks at the plate.
In fact, Grandal as been the third-best hitting catcher in MLB over the past five seasons according to the OPS metric (.792).
The Cuba native’s decision to sign with Milwaukee is surprising to some.
Grandal previously turned down a four-year contract with the New York Mets for over $50 million dollars because of his desire to sign a shorter contract, according to multiple reports.
Grandal will immediately slot in as the Brewers’ starting catcher. Milwaukee will hope that he continues to be one of baseball’s best catchers, and that he will lead them back to the playoffs again in 2019.
