The Brewers have signed free-agent left-hander Tom Gorzelanny to a two-year contract, the team announced. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who first reported the agreement between the Brewers and the SFX client, reports that it's a $5.7MM deal. Gorzelanny obtains a $300K signing bonus and will earn $2.6MM in 2013 and $2.8MM in 2014.
The Nationals non-tendered Gorzelanny last month instead of offering him arbitration. Gorzelanny had a projected salary of $2.8MM entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, but he hit free agency a year early instead. He also drew interest from the Pirates after the Nationals cut him loose.
Gorzelanny, 30, joins a Brewers pitching staff that previously lacked left-handed pitching. Other than left-handed starter Chris Narveson, the Brewers don't have an established southpaw on their pitching staff after non-tendering Manny Parra. Haudricourt reports that it's unclear how the Brewers plan to use Gorzelanny. He pitched out of the bullpen in 2012, but does have extensive experience starting.
Gorzelanny appeared in 45 games for the Nationals this past season, posting a 2.88 ERA with 7.8 K/9, 3.8 BB/9 and a 42.9% ground ball rate in 72 innings. The eight-year MLB veteran started 23 games for the Cubs in 2010 and 15 games for the Nationals in 2011, before making one spot start in 2012.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports first reported that the deal would fall in the $6MM range (Twitter link).
