The Brewers announced Monday that they’ve declined their $7.5MM club option on first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames. He’ll be paid a $1MM buyout instead. While Thames doesn’t have the requisite six years of free agency to become a free agent, the three-year contract he signed upon returning to Major League Baseball from the Korea Baseball Organization stipulated that he become a free agent in the event that his 2020 option was bought out. As such, he’ll be added to the free-agent pool and is now free to sign with any club this winter.
It’s a somewhat surprising decision, as the 32-year-old Thames turned in a .247/.346/.505 batting line with 25 homers, 23 doubles and two triples in just 459 plate appearances. Thames did strike out at a 30.9 percent clip, but he also drew a walk in 11.1 percent of his plate appearances. Thames has been a pure platoon player for the Brewers of late, and the reasoning isn’t especially hard to discern; in 202 plate appearances against lefties since his return to the Majors, he’s batted .188/.287/.375. Against right-handed opponents, he’s hit .251/.354/.529 with 63 of his 72 home runs.
Thames spent the bulk of his time in 2019 at first base, though he’s no stranger to either outfield corner. Metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating credited him as a solid defender at first in 2019 but less so in the outfield (-4 DRS, -1.3 UZR, -6 Outs Above Average in 490 2/3 innings since returning).
The free-agent market generally hasn’t been welcoming to bat-first corner-only options like Thames in recent seasons — particularly those on the wrong side of 30. His ability to log some innings in the outfield corners will give him a leg up on some other more limited sluggers, particularly with teams able to roster a 26th player in 2020. It’s possible that Milwaukee will look to bring him back on a lower-priced one-year deal, but other speculative fits for Thames on the open market will include the Twins, White Sox, Rangers and Nationals. Rebuilding clubs like the Marlins, Tigers and Royals could all conceivably take a look as well.
A bit surprising to me, are Brewers fans surprised?
as a Brewers fan, very surprised. he had a nice 2019
$6.5M (option – payout) for a platoon first baseman? Sign him for lower or sign an everyday 1B for less. Ex: Smoak (switch hitter). Gonna miss “Phone Home!” ET’s intangibles if he signs somewhere else tho.
horrible decision I think. very surprised.
I don’t understand this one at all. I think he’s a bargain at 7.5 million. He hits homers and draws walks. I think the Nationals will be on him in no time at all. After all, they’ll remember he homered against them in the wild card game.
Surprised isn’t the right word. It doesn’t surprise me. I would’ve been totally ok if they’d picked it up. He had a solid year, 1.6 WAR in just under 400 at bats. Not amazing by any stretch, but definitely good.
I’m curious to see how this offseason shakes out for the Brewers. Right now, we’re in need of a catcher, a first baseman, a third baseman, and 800 pitchers.
I’m assuming that all of their regression models absolutely hate him
How bad is he in the outfield?
Not surprised..he’s terrible in the outfield, they need more production from first base and they need more financial flexibility..I.e. more money. Would not be shocked if they’d told him to go get offers and, if it doesn’t go well, come back and talk..
very bad defensively in OF. but OK at 1B. throw away 1M? I don’t get it. He’s a decent player.
You’re not throwing away 1M you’re saving 6.5M. It remains to be seen what the brewers do with the funds but by moving on from Anderson and Thames that opens up 15M in salary. Maybe Stearns will finally make a play for a SP like Wheeler? Bring back moose at 3/33M then use the grandal/Chacin money to sign a 1B like Smoak, a catcher and depth.
I’m a little surprised they wouldn’t execute this option
Prob hoping to resign him for less. He’s not exactly great at the hitting thing.
He’s pretty good if he doesn’t have to do it against lefties…
Who needs a 1B/LF?
I think he mainly played rf last year..when absolutely necessary. And he’s not good out there.
Rhys Hoskins take note.
Was thinking the exact same thing…
I would say Twins, but Rooker could be the guy next year.
Still a Righty Mashing DH for a needy AL club.
I will bet that Rangers Daniels will sign Thames to a FA contract.
The Indians make some sense. Thames is basically a better version of Jake Bauers.
Actually yeah, the Indians would be a nice fit. Thames could split time between 1b/DH with Santana, as well as be available for the corner OF in a pinch.
Uh, no.
Indians had been rotating the DH until they acquired Franmil Reyes last year. If anything, in 2020 they should be breaking him in on playing some part-time 1B to leave the DH open some for others.
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Most teams in the AL rotate players through the DH position – some to give regular position player a rest for a day or two, and especially when a player is being phased back into action after being out with injuries. It is a myth to think that every poor fielder in the NL can go to the AL and take up a roster spot just DH’ing.
I agree. The Indians don’t need to start collecting DHs. Reyes will play there enough to tie up that position.
From what I’ve heard–Reyes is going to get every opportunity to prove he can play RF in 2020. Does that mean he won’t DH? No, but it means DH ab’s could still be open for players to rotate through.
As for Thames–he’s surely not a great defender, but he’s still a guy CLE could plug into 1b/LF/RF/DH when applicable–he’ll also be relatively cheap, which plays into the Indians’ hand more. And with rosters expanding to 26 next season, teams will be more inclined and able to justify having multiple “one-dimensional” type players.
The brewers gave away Dubon lol
What does that have to do with Thames?
That trade was voted best under the radar of last season. Read more man
You do realize Pomeranz was a huge reason the Brewers made the playoffs right? Gave away isn’t the right term at all.
Any chance they are clearing payroll to maybe resign Grandal and platoon him at first with someone on the days he does not catch?
My thought from the outside given Grandal will be pricey to retain…….or the savings go toward trying to entice one of the second tier FA starting pitchers..
im leaning toward the Brewers focusing on Moose than Grandal, but that leaves a hole at first now, so im confused with what they are trying to do
…shaw at first. it’s my nightmare come to life
please stop i beg of you.
Braun/Shaw can platoon at 1B. Still have the OF depth with Yelich, Cain, Grisham and Gamel.
Today’s winner right here.
I wonder if he’s counted as “versatile” by Atkins. Probably not a great fit though as they’d probably like a righty to platoon with Tellez and pretty much every OF they have is a corner outfielder.
This was an easy decision since they already have Jesus Aguilar.
…oh wait
…idiots
Rays win again
they win because they have the worse of the two players?
To be accurate, Milwaukee has neither player. So, in reality, TB has more in the end than MIL.
However, my point was that they moved Aguilar to go ahead with Thames… only to cut him months later.
Both players were victims of inconsistent playing time IMO, and both hit better after separated by the trade. It appeared that MIL got the desired result. So I’d guess the cut is based on something off-field …maybe as simple as age or a proneness to injury.
TB has a player that is 3 years younger and not injury-prone …a player that paced for 45+ HRs a year ago when he was a full-time starter.
Aguilar was given the job to start the season. And did nothing, then the platoon and eventual trade happened.
Thames was likely let go in the hope of bringing him back at a lower price (and use the extra $ to sign someone else). I highly doubt it has anything to do with any off field issues, or injury related. Aside from a couple tweaked hammies and an ankle sprain he was pretty durable from what I recall.
I mean…They traded for Jacob Faria, which, undoubtedly, the Brewers needed pitching more than a first baseman who wasn’t doing much of anything.
Faria wasn’t that bad…I mean, sure…his ERA was 11.42 for the Brewers, but his FIP was 7.94, so obviously he was just getting really unlucky.
I’m kidding. He was bad. I still don’t mind the deal. We have a 26 year old pitcher under team control for awhile. He’s shown some promise before. If he can get right, he could be a back end rotation piece.
As for cutting Thames loose…well, they give him $1M and we’ll see where the chips fall. Chances are, we get someone as good or better than Thames. Or we get Thames again. And I’m good with that.
Could be a fit with the Giants who desperately need some pop. Thames could back up Belt, and possibly play some LF/pinch-hit. Like this article states–with rosters expanding to 26 next year, limited or at least in Thames’ case, semi-limited players will not necessarily clog a roster spot.
Both Belt and Thames struggle against lefties so I’d think a right-handed option would make a bit more sense.
“His ability to log some innings in the outfield corners will give him a leg up on some other more limited sluggers, particularly with teams able to roster a 26th player in 2020.”
This sentence does not make sense. Versatility is particularly valuable the *fewer* roster spots there are, not the more roster spots. The more roster spots the more justifiable carrying specialists becomes.
Stearns is brilliant and works great with Counsell.
Rest assured that there is a plan.
I look for the Brewers to restructure the roster some, make adjustments during the 2020 season, and be in competition for the ALC title at seasons-end….very probably winning it unless they have numerous long-term injuries.
Braun is the Brewers biggest problem.Stuck with his contract and it puts other good players under the bus.
not stuck with him much longer.
He had a good year last year. He’s not worth the money but you could do far worse. I mean look at Bryce Harper.
He had a good year last year. I would hardly call him the brewers biggest problem. You could do far worse spending money foolishly, look at Bryce Harper
I believe his salaries going forward are $15 and $14 mil, with deferred $ once hus playing days are over. There are relievers pitching 60ish innings a season making more than that.
Until Grisham and Taylor came up late, he wasn’t standing in anyone’s way. Especially when Yelich was starting in left, or moving over there late in games.
Braun sets up pitchers as well as any hitter in MLB.
Lots of clutch hits. Seems to concentrate more the closer the game is.
The Tigers should consider him to play a lot of 1B after letting Hicks go and occasional corner OF…and DH when Miggy inevitably goes on the DL. Tigers considering Candelario as possible 1B but Lugo doesn’t look ready to play 3B so might as well let them stay there. Prefer Goodrum as middle infielder and OF’er. Thames could certainly lead my Pesky (well not so much anymore) Bengals in HR.
All this means is that Ryan Braun is going to be the Brewers first baseman in 2020.
So…Crazy idea, but hear me out…I’m being totally super serial.
How about the Brewers sign Cole, Strasburg, Wheeler, and Odorizzi.
That would make our rotation those 4 plus Woodruff. Pretty solid right?
After that, they can sign Rendon to play 3rd, resign Grandal at catcher, and Jose Abreu to play first.
Trade Arcia and our top 10 prospects to the Indians for Francisco Lindor.
Lineup:
Lindor SS
Yelich RF
Rendon 3B
Abreu 1B
Hiura 2B
Grandal C
Braun/Grisham LF
Cain CF
Sign whatever good right handed relievers are available.
Pay them all whatever they want. Since the world will likely blow up soon, we can get a world series win and not worry about the future because we’re all going to die in a fire anyway, so the contracts won’t matter.
….uhhh
I think dray got a new name..or a lame follower.
Dray was way meaner with the things he says. This guy is just out there
Would be a good bench option for the Yankees. But my guess is he gets a DH job. Power/OBP guy, has value.
Brewers just saved about $15M in payroll on two so-so players (Anderson and Thames). They need every penny they can find, whether it’s to take a shot at Grandal or for starters. The new rule in 2020 (expanding the roster to only 28 players in September) means that the “bullpenning” strategy of the last two years won’t work. Brewers need more/better starters.
As to Grandal vs. Moose…wouldn’t it be nice to sign both? Yes, but given the choice I’d opt for the top FA catcher on the market. Somebody with Grandal’s bat and defensive skill (and versatility at 1B) doesn’t grow on trees.
I don’t understand zone ratings because watching him at 1b was scary, and RF even worse. He only swings for the fences no matter what the situation. The Brewers are better playing Braun there and giving Grisham the chance to play everyday in OF.
Today’s winner right here.