The Brewers are reuniting with Brad Boxberger, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan (Twitter link) reports that Boxberger has agreed to a new one-year deal. The veteran right-hander will earn $2.5MM in guaranteed money, with up to $550K available in bonuses. The Brewers’ official Twitter feed has announced the signing, and added that the deal contains a club option on Boxberger’s services for the 2023 season. Boxberger will earn $1.75MM in 2022 and has a $750K buyout on a $3MM option, tweets FanSided’s Robert Murray. Boxberger is represented by Paragon Sports International.
After a downturn in performance in 2018 and 2019, Boxberger had to settle for minor league deals with the Marlins prior to the 2020 season, and with the Brew Crew last winter. A 3.00 ERA over 18 innings with Miami in 2020 hinted that Boxberger was starting to return to form, and he bounced all the way back with a strong year in Milwaukee’s bullpen.
The righty posted a 3.34 ERA over 64 2/3 innings in 2021, with a 31.2% strikeout rate that placed Boxberger in the 90th percentile of all pitchers. While his 9.4% walk rate was below average, Boxberger had an otherwise solid showing in most major Statcast categories.
It was enough to land the 33-year-old a guaranteed big league contract, and Boxberger will now aim for an encore as one of the Brewers’ setup men. With Josh Hader still in the closer’s spot, the Brewers are slated to roll out Devin Williams, Brent Suter, and Boxberger for other high-leverage innings, not to mention a plethora of other in-house arms. Milwaukee has also had success in finding unheralded relievers or veterans (like Boxberger) in need of a fresh start, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see more arms added to the relief corps before Opening Day.
I really hope concessions take note. The Boxburger should be an in-stadium special.
tom brady just unretired i dont care about baseball anymore
CUNCEL DA SEASON!!!
?
I left zero room for ambiguity what do you not understand?
CUNCEL DA SEASON!!!
Oh. Hahaha.
Don’t hate the signing and it wasn’t for much. Worst case if the brewers tank and he pitches well, he can be flipped at the deadline for prospects.
In what world are the Brewers “tanking” in 2022?
With the best rotation in Baseball…an elite back of the BP…why would they tank? Particularly in the division they’re in and with additional playoff teams.
Even if Yelich and Hiura aren’t any better…and whomever they add to the lineup falls flat…it’s STILL a team that coasted to 95 wins last year. and returns virtually every key player, plus Ashby, Small both rookies next year who seem primed to contribute…Ashby already has, Small had an ERA of…what, 1.80 at AA and AAA?
112 wins now? Milwaukee 2208?
113 actually
Boxberger had a good season with Mil in 2021. Why all the sarcasm?
Agreed curly. He was very good. Held down 7th or 8th inning for much of the season for a good club. Def earned a guaranteed deal. If he produces like last year it’s a steal.
Yeah…I was gonna say it’s likely because he’s not much of a power pitcher and doesn’t get a lot of strikeouts…but my memory was wrong. He’s almost always been above 9.0 and was at 11.6 last year and he’s a reliable arm. That’s worth 2..5M.
Ok I like this move I think that having continuity in the clubhouse is very valuable
Does it come with an automatic appointment to the Executive Committee?
Surprised he only got 1 year and 2.5 million. I figured after last year’s showing he’d be in line for a 2 year deal at 8 million or so. Great signing by the Brewers.
Good option to have back for the 6/7th innings.
Assuming Devin Williams doesn’t punch any more walls, the Brewers BP will be in good shape this year. You can always count on David Stearns & company to find some value arms.
I wouldn’t trust him not to, dude has some definite issues