The Brewers announced that they signed Casey McGehee to a one-year contract instead of completing the extension they had preliminary discussions about. There's no rush for a deal, as the third baseman isn't arbitration eligible until after the coming season and isn't scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2014 campaign.
McGehee hit 23 homers last year, posting a .285/.337/.464 line in 670 plate appearances in his first full season. The longtime Cubs farmhand caught on with the Brewers in 2009 and hit 16 homers with an .859 OPS in 394 plate appearances as a rookie.
The Brewers, who have already extended infielder Rickie Weeks this offseason, have now signed all 40 players on their 40-man roster.
Understandable. The Brewers hold all the cards at this point; really no incentive to lock him up long-term quite yet. Still, he has shown that he is capable of producing at the major league level, and I’d like to see a multiyear extension by next year, his first year of arbitration. I think a 5-year deal that buys out his three arby years and two free agency years is reasonable for both sides.
Whatever happens with Casey McGehee, that was a fine free talent pickup for the Brewers. Some might even call it a steal.
I think this was more of a step for the brewers to show McGehee that they are interested in securing him for the long term when the time comes, kind of a good faith type thing. Both sides know there is no need to hammer out a long term deal with him yet as he’s under team control for the next 3 years.
However I hope that when the time does come they are going to be able to lock him up for a few more years. He’s shown that while he’s not quite an all star he’s going to be an above average contributor to the team.