The Milwaukee Brewers are picking up their club option on Kolten Wong, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. They will pay him a $10MM salary in 2023 instead of the $2MM buyout.
While most option decisions have a fairly obvious outcome, Wong’s was one of the few that was actually sort of difficult to predict. Long a defensive stalwart, he had perhaps his greatest offensive season in 2022 but took an odd step back in terms of his glovework. Faced with a net $8MM decision, it seems the Brewers have deemed Wong worthy of another go and have triggered his option for 2023.
The 32-year-old was drafted by the Cardinals and spent the first eight seasons of his career there from 2013 to 2020. He was fairly dependable in that regard, providing solid work on the dirt while hitting near a league-average level. Outside of his 2013 debut, he posted a wRC+ between 85 and 109 in each of his seasons in St. Louis, with 100 being the average mark. He never hit for much power, maxing out at 12 home runs as a single-season high as a Cardinal. However, he never struck out more than 16.4% of the time in that stretch and often proved a threat on the basepaths.
On the defensive side of things, Wong generally received positive reviews from the advanced metrics. Defensive Runs Saved gave him a positive number in each season from 2014 to 2020 except for 2017, with the highest being a 17 in 2019. That was easily the highest among second basemen that season, with Enrique Hernández coming in second at 12. Ultimate Zone Rating considered 2018 to be his standout campaign, giving him a 13.4 that year, nudging out DJ LeMahieu for the league lead at the keystone.
Prior to the 2016 season, he and the Cardinals agreed to a five-year extension that came with a $12.5MM option for 2021 with a $1MM buyout. Somewhat surprisingly, the Cards opted for the buyout and sent Wong to free agency, where he landed a two-year, $18MM guarantee from the Brewers with the option for 2023. Since coming to Milwaukee, Wong has had two consecutive above-average seasons at the plate, putting together a cumulative batting line of .262/.337/.439 for a wRC+ of 113. He’s found a little extra power, hitting 14 homers in 2021 and 15 in 2022 after never getting above 12 in previous seasons. He’s also continued to have his speed, swiping 29 bases over the past two years, including 17 in 2022.
As mentioned earlier, Wong’s typically strong defense took a turn for the worse in 2022. In terms of traditional stats, his 17 errors tied a career high from back in 2015. The advanced metrics weren’t keen either, with Wong pegged at a -1 DRS, -4.7 UZR and -9 Outs Above Average. “Defensively, it just wasn’t even my year,” Wong told Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last month, before acknowledging that the club’s large arbitration class and impending arrival of prospect Brice Turang might lead to the Brewers choosing the buyout. “I’ve been a free agent one time already and it’s not the most enjoyable thing,” Wong added. “If I got to go through it again, it is what it is. It will be interesting to see where I’d end up landing. Milwaukee was a choice that I kind of had in mind going into free agency as a high pick for me. This next one, I just kind of want to keep an open mind and see how it goes.”
It seems Wong won’t have to worry about free agency for now, as the Brewers have decided he’s worth the $8MM investment. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke to Wong, who said the he is “stoked” about the decision, before going on to detail that his legs weren’t 100% healthy in 2022, which contributed to his defensive shortcomings (Twitter links).
Whoops.
In what way?
Interesting. Wonder if they might be doing this as an opportunity to trade him?
That is what I was thinking. Seems like a lot for the Brewers.
The Red Sox are rumored to be looking to trade for a second baseman, and additionally need another outfielder. The Brewers and Sox have often traded before. Bold Prediction: Renfroe and Wong to the Sox for Arroyo, Dalbec, and Mata
Mata alone would be an overpay
I personally agree that he is a prime trade candidate. Remember they did listen to offers on him at the trade deadline.
I think he would be a good fit for the Jays as well. They need a lefty bat and a 2B.
tnut10;
Maybe near the deadline if he’s having a good year.
This is stunning because his D wasn’t as good last year as it usually is. Could be he was hurt or something and the Brewers know something we don’t.
It’s also stunning in the sense that they have a ton of projected payroll increase and trading hader made sense when they were freeing up cap. Paying Wong net 8 mil goes against that logic and flows more into poor management with lack of direction.
Not if you’re a fan of war. If he repeats his 3.1 b-war this year its a steal. If they trade him its a steal. In a weak market like others have said this is simply a smart baseball move
Net 8 million if they keep him.
He HAS surplus value on 1/10.
Not much but they can get rid of him and save 2MM. This looked like a pretty easy call to me.
They could try to flip him at the deadline as well and then bring up Turang. Still think this is a decision based on a weak 2B market and chance to flip for an asset.
I think they will trade him. They listened to offers for him at the trade deadline.
Relatively weak class of second baseman this offseason as well — the demand should be there.
Wong just turned 32, so while he’s unlikely to reemerge as an elite defender, it’s not too far-fetched to envision a slight rebound.
Capitalistic on a weak second base market. Smart move by the brewers.
Trading Renfroe for JBJ was by far the worst trade Chaim Bloom has made for the Red Sox.
What about the prospects Boston also got from Milwaukee in that deal?
The prospects don’t look great.
David Hamilton might be a useful pinch runner one day.
Alex Binelas is a watered down LH Bobby Dalbec.
Sox flopped.
That’s somewhat of a surprise.
I guess better to get something for him than nothing. I do wonder how many teams will have interest in a $10 million dollar 2B though
Guessing he would have got around that much on the open market. Certainly isnt a bargain, but not outrageous either
Even if they eat the $2 mil the buyout would have cost them, and get a near ready prospect or stopgap major league player it’s a good move.
Whether they hold onto him or trade him, watch them turn around and non-tender Renfroe and use the we got no money excuse for it.
I like this decision. Wong had a pretty solid year despite the injuries. He did a 15-15 with a 250 and solid defense at one of the weaker statistical positions in baseball. at $10 million i think it’s a bargain. At segura money I would have passed on it though,.
He did not play “solid defense.” I mean, you could read maybe a LITTLE of the article you’re commenting on?
Somewhat surprising, but the FA crop of 2Bs is absolutely abysmal this year so it’s not the worst idea in the world to hold on to him.
This.
The Brewers are probably going to try to contend next year, and if that’s the case, they can’t afford to downgrade at any offensive positions. There were no realistic options for upgrading over Wong so they just needed to bring him back.
The Brewers can compete if they are able to improve their offense. IMO, catcher is the best opportunity for upgrade.
Unless this is a precursor to trading Wong, the odds of Woodruff or Burnes getting traded just went up. I’ll withhold judgment for now.
It could be a precursor to Adames being traded. Likely one or the other.
I wouldn’t complain if that was the outcome either, although I don’t have much faith in the other SS options. I’m mainly concerned about the budget which is already hamstrung by Yelich eating up so much of it.
Regardless, I expect the Brewers to be active on the trade market even with Stearns no longer in charge.
Turang has nothing left to prove in AAA. He’ll play short or second, depending on which of Wong or Adames is traded.
Withhold judgment till July.
I don’t see the brewers making any major moves this offseason except maybe trading for a catcher. They are going to try to compete. If they suck next season, Woodruff, Burnes, Adames, Tellez etc could all be on the block.
Yeah but is living in Milwaukee six months a year even worth 10 million?
Yes. Those are the good 6 months. Wisconsin is lovely in Spring and Summer.
And, he’s not there for half of that either.
Trading him is ok, they have Turang ready
Keeping him is ok, he’s due for positive regression
There’s no pressure either way, but it was good of the Brewers to execute this right away to assure Wong what his pay status will be.
His defense has been down the last year or two, if I remember correctly. Not sure it’s going to get better either with the changes to the shift. Kind of a lot to pay for a 2B. I like him, but no sure about $10M. It’s really $8M since they were on the hook for $2M anyways. Maybe the White Sox are a good match, especially since Pollock opted out.
This surprised me, but it means either him or Adames is likely to be traded.
I’ll believe that when I see it. I think they want to bring back the same offense from last year but with a few tweaks. Catcher obviously and playing Yelich at DH more with the rookies picking up the OF ABs.
BRef has him hovering around 3 WAR each of the past two years. Could be a steal even if he doesn’t get back to his gold glove defense.
Smart move.
Will Wong be worth the $10M in 2023. Probably. But if he comes up short it’s not the end of the world. It’s a one year contract.
Wong should put up solid numbers and good defense making this option a no brainer.
He really only has to be worth $8 million, since the Crew were going to be out $2 million regardless.
Wise move. Nice to see a move from the front office that’s not towards the typical Northwoods tavern softball team lineup in Milwaukee. Now keep McCutcheon too.
I like McCutchen but his production has fallen off
Look for Huira to get traded in off season to make room for Turang.
While it’s quite possible Hiura gets traded, I don’t see how that makes room for Turang, unless you mean as a utility player. Which I guess makes some sense, because Turang would at least have a ton more defensive value and versatility than Hiura. But Hiura is a DH-only guy already, so if they really want to make room for Turang, Wong or Adames gets traded.
I’m seeing some suggestions that Adames would be traded now? I doubt that, but I guess somebody making an offer you shouldn’t refuse and do trade him, Wong is a safety net on infield depth. Turang-Urias-Peterson rotation at SS/3B then.
Should have just paid the 2mil to opt out. Wong for 1yr at 10mil isn’t going to bring back a known name prospect. Probably a veteran Catcher from a team that needs a 2b and has depth at catcher.
Turang is good prospect but nothing special. Glove first infielder maybe with some ceiling to get to with the bat, but not a ton. Likely a utility guy. You don’t make a decision on your starting 2B because he’s in AAA.
Turang is blocked at his natural SS position. Team has Urias and Peterson who can play the 2b/3b combo while Turang would get settled in at a 2b/SS backup.
Reality is your comment explains why Adames won’t likely be traded. You’d end up throwing Turang as an unknown SS starter without any ML time. Wong is who should be moved on from.
Peterson is a FA, I believe.
Good move by the Brew Crew. He can help a club in many ways. His offense is best when he is not trying to hit the ball to the moon. And Wong needs to stop trying to make the impossible plays in the field and stop trying to turn the routine play into something for the highlight reel. Good luck Wonger.
I agree with many of those who say he’s likely to be dealt. Milwaukee doesn’t even need to get much back for this to be a smart move since it’s saved them money.
Wonder if they’d be open to moving Wong inside the division? Cards likely to pursue a middle infielder on a short term contract (pending the arrival of Masyn Winn) and Stl is certainly familiar with the player and willing to raise payroll this year..
I’ll be interested in seeing what one year of Wong at that price nets the Brewers in return.
Agreed. Turang could be a compete bust and if the Brewers take any step back offensively they might as well trade everyone. Bring everyone back and give it another go. I’d love to see a legit upgrade at catcher but I think trading any current players, including Wong, is too risky.