The Brewers announced Thursday that they’ve re-signed infielder Eric Sogard to a one-year, Major League contract. Sogard had been set to hit free agency but will instead return to the Brewers rather than test the open market.
[Related: Updated Milwaukee Brewers depth chart]
Sogard will receive a guarantee of $2.4MM plus $650K worth of possible incentives. That includes $150K apiece upon playing in his 30th, 50th, 70th, and 90th games as well as another $50K if he raches 120 games played. Octagon brokered the deal on the player’s side.
Sogard, 31, inked a minor league deal with the Brewers last winter after missing the 2016 season due to knee surgery. The longtime A’s infielder came to Milwaukee with a reputation as a plus defender with a light bat but posted a career-year at the dish in 2017. After having his contract selected in mid-May, Sogard turned in a .273/.393/.378 batting line with three homers, 15 doubles and a triple over the life of 299 plate appearances.
Most of Sogard’s defensive reps came at second base with the Brewers, but he also played shortstop and third base in addition to logging eight innings in left field with Milwaukee. The knee injury that cost him the 2016 season didn’t appear to have any adverse effect on Sogard, as Defensive Runs Saved pegged his work at second base as five runs above average (in just 365 innings) and his glovework at shortstop at two runs above average (160 innings).
“Eric brings to the team a veteran presence who possesses the ability to play multiple positions and reach base at a high rate,” said general manager David Stearns in a press release announcing the move. “We are pleased to welcome Eric and his family back to Milwaukee for the 2018 season.”
SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (via Twitter) and MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy (Twitter link) reported financial details.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Good depth piece and can be a serviceable insurance policy in case nothing better appears on the free agent or trade market. He’s not the long term answer at second base but retaining a veteran like Sogard has a ton of value
Yea, especially if they plan on retrying Villar at 2B, with a bit of uncertainty of if we’ll see 2016 Villar, or 2017 Villar.
What is it with the Brewers and 2B? They have had very few good years from the 2B position but, have had many years of mediocrity.
Milwaukee’s best seasons from a 2B:
1973 Pedro Garcia
1977 Don Money
1979 Paul Molitor
1983 Jim Gantner
1984 Jim Gantner
1996 Fernando Vina
1998 Fernando Vina
2000 Ronnie Belliard
2010 Rickie Weeks
2012 Rickie Weeks
I was gonna day I was Sograd he’s back but it doesn’t make sense.
Doesn’t make sense? Makes ton of sense to me. If the Brewers give Villar another go and he falters sogard is a good option at 2nd
it’s a pun bud
I’m certainly Sograd he’s back
You know what also doesn’t make sense? You’re post
*your
Unintentionally hilarious. Well played.
Brewers need to add a right handed hitting platoon partner. They might try Villar one more time, but I think they go a different direction.
Nate Orf, backup to the backup plan. That is, only if he isn’t taken in the Rule 5 draft.
He led the league in Zone Contact if I’m not mistaken and had an incredibly low O swing. Even when he wasn’t getting hits–which wasn’t often–he was still drawing walks and giving the Brewers excellent PA’s off the bench. Great small move by Milwaukee to bring him back.
Eric has a tremendous glove and he is very opportunistic with his bat. We liked in Oakland a lot…
Every Brewers fan should be thrilled with this signing. Plus locking Chase down to 2 years with an option was smart as well. Now resign Swarzak and hit the market for another starter and a few bullpen pieces.
Sounds like a great deal for the Brewers.