Feb. 24: Rengifo will make a $2MM salary in 2026 with a $1.5MM buyout on a $10MM mutual option, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The incentives are based on plate appearances, with $100K for 150 and then each 50 PA increment up to 350, followed by $250K for 400 and 450, then $500K for 500. There’s also a one-time assignment bonus of $250K if Rengifo is traded.
Feb. 16: Milwaukee has officially announced the addition of Rengifo. With room on the 40-man roster, the Brewers did not need a corresponding move.
Feb. 13: The Brewers are bringing in Luis Rengifo on a one-year major league deal, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The veteran infielder has spent his entire seven-year MLB career with the Angels. He’s a client of MVP Sports Group. The team has yet to announce the move.
Feinsand adds that Rengifo will be guaranteed $3.5MM. The agreement includes a $10MM mutual option for 2027. Rengifo can also make an extra $1.5MM in incentives this year.
Milwaukee had a hole to address in the infield after dealing Caleb Durbin to the Red Sox. This might not be the move MLBTR’s Steve Adams had in mind when he wrote about the potential for another notable addition, but Rengifo could provide credible production at multiple spots. The 28-year-old had delivered three seasons of above-league-average offense before struggling mightily last year. He has considerable experience at second base, third base, and shortstop.
Rengifo debuted with the Angels in 2019. He held down the second base job for the majority of the season. The infielder managed an 83 wRC+ across 406 plate appearances. He earned poor marks for his work at the keystone (-4 Defensive Runs Saved, -4 Outs Above Average). Rengifo fell into part-time work over the next two seasons, scuffling at the plate but offering defensive versatility.
The 2022 campaign represented a breakout for Rengifo. He slugged 17 home runs in 127 games. Rengifo came into the year with just 14 career homers. He improved his hard-hit rate while striking out just 15.5% of the time. Rengifo maintained the offensive gains the following year, popping 16 home runs with a 115 wRC+.
Rengifo remained a valuable asset in 2024, though his production took a different shape. He only left the yard six times, but stole 24 bases and hit an even .300. Rengifo had totaled 18 thefts in the previous five MLB seasons. He’d maxed out at a .264 batting average. Biceps and wrist injuries limited Rengifo to 78 games, and could have been to blame for his lack of power.
Last season was a challenge for Rengifo. His OPS tumbled to .622, his worst mark since 2021. He did chip in nine home runs and 10 steals. Rengifo managed to stay healthy for the full year, playing in a career-high 147 games.
The switch-hitting Rengifo has typically been better from the right side. He’s slashed .268/.311/.438 against lefties in his career, compared to .242/.305/.360 when facing righties. Rengifo didn’t show noticeable splits last season, with just two points separating his OPS from each side of the plate.
It’s been more quantity than quality for Rengifo with the glove. He’s logged at least 98 appearances at all three infield positions excluding first base, but doesn’t have a DRS better than -4 at any spot. Rengifo posted a -5 DRS at third base last season, though he was a +5 at second base.
Photos courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez and Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images
Excellent move. The Brewers continue to brew.
Totally agree
Forgot about him…
Every time I see his name I automatically think of the incredible Hulk.
dewey – Be honest, who would you rather have ……
Rengifo (2023-2025 stats)
.710 OPS
96 OPS+
Age 29
$3.5M
0 WS blown
IKF (2023-2025 stats)
.655 OPS
82 OPS+
Age 31
$6M
1 WS blown
If IKF was signed for his offensive numbers instead of his defensive abilities you might have a point with the numbers you posted. As it is though, not so much.
ken – You think IKF is $6M good?
Last year his DRS was only 5, and his OAA was -1.
@FPG. Its technically 5 million. Im sure the incentives are games played. Also rengifo is a anomaly sometimes looks like ozzy smith or sometimes he boots a easy grounder or if he catches the ball he throws to the empty bag allowing two runs to score. He can play every position besides catcher, but also doesn’t get baseball
But they just sent three infielders to Boston. Maybe they should have kept one of them.
And got two good pitchers back. Now they have an infielder back and the pitchers. See how that works?
Except when they made the trade it was because these guys were being “pushed out” by up and coming stars. this signing shows that’s not the case.
False. The Brewers had multiple years of control over Durbin and Monasterio, while this is a one-year contract for Rengifo. He’s likely going to be the bridge to the prospects, none of whom are likely to be ready this season.
And got 2 very intriguing arms for their excellent pitching development to work with, including a former top 20 prospect, who was also the top LHP prospect in all of baseball in 2024.
They also happen to have a massive amount of top IF prospects coming very soon. 1 year deal is perfect. They sold high on Durbin.
Why do both red sox and brewers fans try to act like thier teams swindled the other and won that trade essentially trashing the players involved? Can’t it be good for both teams..
Harrison is a high upside talent with some potential it didnt work well in sf or Boston..both currently good pitching environments..let’s not think Milwaukee is the only place that can develop. Durbin finished 3rd in roy voting..sell high ok fine but you must give to get and he is the best player currently in this deal. Hamilton is fine for defense and speed..drohan was selected in a rule 5 and returned hes 27..Will mil unlock something? Who knows..I think this deal could work out for both teams but it could also just as easily not..also dont sleep on the draft picks headed to boston..maybe they draft a pitcher and trade him to mil for some talent down the line and the deal keeps going
Why do both red sox and brewers fans try to act like their teams swindled the other and won that trade essentially trashing the players involved?
Fans are stupid.
I’m certainly not saying anybody swindled anyone. It’s a win win trade imo. I think it’s a good deal for both teams and understand why they both did it. Durbin is a solid player who probably will eventually end up as a really good utility infielder on a good team and hit a lot of doubles in Boston. I love the guy and Boston fans will too. He is a serviceable starting 3B or 2B and may continue to develop but his batted ball data is not great and he derives decent value at the plate from getting hit by lots of pitches which may be may not be sustainable. He would have hit 5 HR if playing all his games in Boston last year. It was a pretty weak field last year for ROY to be fair.
The kids are coming in Milwaukee and they develop pitching well. They just do. Priester is a good example last year and there are many others. Starting pitching is expensive in MLB and you’ve got to give to get. It may not work out but I’ve learned to trust their scouts and FO. I hope it’s win win and Durbin and Mono do well in Boston and vice versa. My comment was in regard to this signing making perfect sense. They want a 1 year stop gap. 4 of their top 5 prospects may end up at 3B and there’s numerous others like Wilken who are just about ready. And I agree on the pick.
hayzee – On paper the Red Sox got the best 2 players in the trade.
As for future potential, the Brewers with their coaching staff got the best 2 players in the trade.
So it’s basically a wash.
But every fanbase has a percentage of fans who are heavily biased. It’s always a “great move” when a trade is made, and then it’s always “they aren’t that good” when players leave.
Look at how the same Sox fans who idolized Bregman last year are now trashing him, it’s downright comical.
This is afair point that reminds me of the priester trade
The red sox got no major league talent back in exchange for preister..so pretty different in that regard
I just like to say the name Quinn Priester
This offseason they sold high on 3 players and now have the largest stable of solid or better starting-pitching, with 5+ years of control in baseball. In addition they now have the best farm system in the game, and all this coming off a 97 win season.
Organizational juggernaut.
Matt Arnold got his start in Tampa. It’s a very similar policy that the Rays used. They acquired unheralded prospects like Collins and Durbin. Extracted production out of them and then dealt them away for new pieces.
Trading Peralta in his last year of control is their MO too. They’re going to extract value before the player walks.
Sneeky good
Bro hit 25% worse than league average last year
Right! If the Angels would of resigned him it would of been “ what a dumb move” But when he signs with your team it’s most excellent
As Angels fan, You’ll regret saying. that.
You won’t be saying in Sept
Sometimes will look like he’s going to be a quality player. Sometimes looks like a guy who doesn’t belong on an MLB field.
Hope the Brew Crew can unlock something in him. It wasn’t going to happen here.
Good for him. Goes from perpetual Siberia to a playoff contender.
*perpetual siberia to perpetual 1st round out.
Until last year.
That’s weird, pretty sure we beat the cubs in the first round. Salty…..
Bkbk must realize that the cubs in the playoffs was a fluke, like the rest of MLB.
I thought he’d be an interesting trade target last year but he seemed to butcher everything that came towards him defensively during a series against Toronto. Is that normal for him?
Normally he’s OK defensively. Not the greatest range at second but he makes the routine plays. Not a starting caliber shortstop but OK for a game here and there.
He seemed to really struggle at third base. I don’t think he has the arm for the position so he tries to hurry everything and ends up butchering plays.
The first few weeks Durbin was up with the team, he was the exact same way. They really focused on his footwork and his throwing was immensely better 2nd half of the season.
honestly his batted ball data has not changed THAT much over the years. he’s always been a guy that does a relatively good job limiting K’s but just doesn’t impact the ball with much authority. combine that with average speed and you tend to get streaky performers.
I know he had some good slash lines for a few years but the underlying data suggests he’s probably more of like a .700-.725 OPS guy at best. if the Brewers can unlock more while shuffling him around the field though, that’s a pretty solid low cost investment
Perfect analysis. He’s always been streaky but I never looked under the hood. When you put lots of balls in play but not over the wall, BABIP will determine your success and BABIP is notoriously unstable in small sample sizes.
but over the course of a year, it tends to average out.
He was a guy I wish the Angels signed. I’m one who doesn’t care much for the long ball. Singles and doubles win games. I think he will settle into a decent reliable player.
the past five World Series winners have all been within the top four teams in HR.
Angels were 4th in HR last year
Also 3rd worst in on base percentage due to being 1st in strikeouts.
It takes a balanced offense to win.
yes, it takes a balanced offense, which includes HR.
I was responding to the anti-HR comment of “Singles and doubles win games.”
I think pretty much any fan of any club was wanting him
It rarely happens in Anaheim.
So it looks like no Paredes anymore?
This shouldn’t necessarily impact that. I doubt he’s getting very much.
Think the Padres already have infield
Have to ask Gwnnying about it
Yeah where is Gwynny- also need to ask her what life is like post Coldplay
It appears the Crew chose speed over power.
as is typical. He has the versatility and speed they always demand out of any infielder.
Pirates next stop I hope. They need to work out a deal centered around him and Bart
I would think it doesn’t make sense for them to get him. And I keep hearing Paredes not fitting the Brewers model, whatever that means. Maybe he costs too much for being a pretty one-dimensional player.
As a Cardinals fan I don’t like this.
It doesn’t matter too much if you like it or not, the Cardinals are in rebuild mode.
Good for him. If he can stay healthier and get back to 2023 (and earlier) form, a really solid piece who can move around. Wish it had worked out better the last few years in Anaheim.
MLB free agency is getting stale. Only a week until games start. Cubs/Sox on the 20th. As a Sox fan, you want to win that game. I’d throw Smith six innings to beat the Cubs in the spring.
College games on today, never followed NCAA baseball much. I cant stand the sound of the metal bats.
I wish there were more MLB vs. NCAA games — looking forward to the Gophers vs Twins. I imagine it is wood bats.
I’ll be rooting for the Gophers!
College baseball has gotten really good the last few years. SEC baseball has huge crowds and a great atmosphere.
cutting the draft to 20 rounds has pushed a lot of talent to the college ranks and the power conferences have invested in the sport.
don’t love the ping, either, but the college game is a ton of fun to watch; especially if your MLB team is losing.
I have the complete opposite view of college baseball. The games are EXTREMELY long, which is a huge negative. Metal bats STILL being used in 2026 is pathetic. Colleges can no longer use the BS excuse that wood bats are too costly to use.
It’s surprising, but cutting the draft to 20 rounds hasn’t really had a major impact on more players going to college. In the last five 50 round drafts, less than 5% of players drafted after round 20 actually signed, with that number dropping to less than 2% after round 25. There would be round after round where only one player would sign and go to college instead.
Something’s brewing in Milwaukee!
And its cutting the cheese
I could go for some beer and a Wisconsin six cheese pizza!
Rengifo was that guy that you thought was on the verge of breaking out offensively year after year but I never felt that potential was enough to offset the defensive blunders that resulted as a result of him being on the field. He didnt find defensive consistency in his tenure with the Angels in my opinion. He was a liability then and I have no reason to think that he won’t be for the Brewers.
Smell that dairy air!
Dude drove me nuts. He seems more concerned about the size of bubble he is blowing than fielding a routine ground ball.
Another PITA hitter to annoy anyone that has to face him.
What does PITA stand for?
Pain in the a**…
This right here. Just another name for a peaky hitter. Sometimes will have long ABs
Rengifo is a game changer. I think he was hurt last year. Brewers know best.
I think he was getting bad coaching advice.
lol
So on brand
Could be a sneaky good add.
Good move for Milwaukee, I thought they would get Paredes but Rengifo is a good fit. Now he goes to 3rd with possibly Ortiz and Hamilton splitting time at short or Hamilton as just backup infielder against tough righties as both Ortiz and Rengifo have better splits vs lefties
Hits lefties much better than righties, and has for a while. Maybe he should give up switch hitting and just focus on hitting from the right side. But in any case, if nothing else and no other prospects are called up to start the season, he and David Hamilton should form an early season 3B platoon that puts last year’s early season Dunn/Capra 3B platoon to shame. Until Durbin came up and put them both out of business.
Geez…I forgot what was there before Durbin took over. Yikes.. Going to miss him. Hopefully the pitchers were worth it.
I hate to break it to you guys but David Hamilton is a terrible hitter. For someone with his speed, he should be looking for and taking walks much more than he does. I’ve watched him with Boston chase pitch after pitch after pitch outside of the zone. He’ll run into one every once in a while, but if he bats over .215, consider that a good season for him. His defense is pretty good at 2B but not elite. I don’t believe he has the arm to play 3B regularly though. He can fill in at SS when needed, but if MIL expects him to start, they should be looking at 2B for him. He is an excellent base runner and can be a great pinch runner in close games.
Hey brew fans
Halos fan here. Is a solid player but super streaky at the plate. Can carry you for three or four games then go 2 for 31 the next five games
OK. We’ll play him every other week.
In Matt We Trust
Rengifo should provide the same offensive production as Durbin last year. Mona was a nice, versatile player but rarely used, and most Brewers fans cringed whenever Siegler was at bat. Rengifo can play three infield positions, and I’m guessing Jett will get some playing time too.
The early season starter at third base hasn’t lasted for the Brewers since Travis Shaw.
Don Money was better!
Oh Brother. Really? In Matt we trust ?
Wonder if this pushes Turang to SS with Ortiz sliding to 3B or will they let Rengifo play 3B?
Turang is not leaving second lol
This is the Brian Anderson acquisition all over again. Remember him, Brewer fans?
The Brewers fans will love him. Fun personality. In 2023 and 2024 he put the ball in play more consistently than all of the Angels put together. He is one of my favourite players. He has way more power than the stats indicate. Watch him at batting practice and you can see he puts on quite a show with the number of balls that reach the seats. He sometimes loses his train of thought and will make some errors for some unexplainable reason. Second Base is his best position and he is slightly above average in the field as long as stays there. This is a very underrated signing.
I go to Anaheim when the Os play there. He was the one of the players who caught my eye. Good signing indeed
I wonder if he’s still wanted in Venezuela.
lol this was their master plan? Sounds a little weak to me.
He’s a short-term bridge to the prospects coming in 2027.
Brewers filling their short player quota
Angels fan in Southern California here. I’ve watched Rengifo since his rookie season. He’s a decent hitter, and can steal a bag, though I’d be surprised to see him hit 17 HRs again. The frustrating part of his game is his defense. He really ramped up his performance at 2B last season, but until then he was pretty brutal. Not great at 3B either, and by no stretch of the imagination is he a major league shortstop. All in all, a good guy, personable, and able to keep a rally going, but you probably don’t want the ball hit to him in the late innings of an important game. Come to think of it, spending his whole career with the Angels, he’s probably never played in an important game.
Maybe the Brewers can give him the kick in the pants he needs to get back on track.
Pat Murphy might be just the right guy for that job.
Not a bad short term signing to bridge the gap until the future is here next year on the left side of the infield. Durbin and Collins were great rookies for us but both showed their ceilings early. Trading them for young controllable left handed pitching was pretty brilliant for the future and exactly what the Crew needs to do in order not to fall off the face of the league.
The best signing of the week; the brewers bucked up & found an affordable infielder who can start. Nice.
Brewers must see something that most don’t. 10 million mutual option will never be executed.
What are the odds Durbin significantly outperforms Rengifo?
Very high!
Durbin has many years of control still and we sold high on him while receiving left handed talent. In a year or so maybe rethink your stance on comparing Durbin to the rookie we’ll have there. But to answer your question, my guess is that the difference between the two will be minimal in favor of Rengifo. Durbin hit his ceiling with the Brewers.
“minimal”. LOL!
“Significantly!”. Ha ha. Nice rebuttal to my facts. You’reJustAClownBro
You’re out of your league bud. You have the most average midwit take on Caleb Durbin. There is nothing to suggest he has hit any type of “ceiling”. Your lack of insight on the subject is hilarious because everything you say reeks of just the latest mainstream media slop. Let me guess you wouldn’t sign Murakami because “he strikes out a lot”.
Way out of my league? I didn’t realize that you were a Brewers season seat holder like I am. You’re right, I should just listen to some idiot in a blog than trust my own eyes. This year the Crew will be just fine at 3rd base and better in the future without all 3 of the players traded plugging up the future we have in the farm system. Of course this is logical so it doesn’t make sense to you but I don’t think you’ll try. Why should you? You’re here to annoy. Not anything else.
brilliant move from the brewers organization. Why compete in 2026 when they are getting ready for the future? Guess that’s why they traded away their ace and are now downgrading at 3b too. For the future. Good luck when Durbin is smashing doubles off the green monster or dropping dingers around the Pesky Pole. Meanwhile Rengifo will be bumbling balls at 3b and having a cool .690 ops. Laughable!
Exactly. Laughable. I would like to carry on with you about this but I find you laughable. You are obviously a relative of Durbin to claim to know him so well. Durbin was a rookie last year. You sure are confident in his extensive experience. I actually liked Durbin as a Brewer so I wish him well which is more than I can say about you. Enjoy your ego.
Instead of going with a guy who just had an amazing season, they decided to go with some guy who has been washed. Don’t you think Rengifo has hit his ceiling? lmfao. Who clearly has better upside, the aging guy who can’t play defense and struggles offensively or the rookie who just almost won rookie of the year, showing signs of getting even better? Its a spit in the face of anyone who takes the Brewers seriously. Not only is it a downgrade for no reason, but its a callous message to the players who try to develop earnestly. If we don’t think you have any potential we will flip you the second you over-perform our shallow analysis of you, then sign some wash out. Good luck with Rengifo though, I’m sure he’ll be worth something at the trade deadline, which is really the plan there.
I’ve already explained that Durbin or the other 2 in the trade aren’t the future at 3rd base and that Rengifo is just a gap fill in. But you don’t listen. All you want to do is get some sort of point across. I guess you’ll be happy with the mediocrity Durbin will have in Boston. Me, there’s plenty of reason to believe we’ll be just fine at 3rd base this year and for many years to come. BTW- why didn’t Bregman’s numbers get better last year than his career averages in the major offensive categories? Enjoy Durbin. You make it sound like we got nothing in return for him. Laughable. Just like you. Have a freaking awesome day.
Right, so you guys traded your ace and downgraded this year at 3B, am I missing anything?You must be real exited for a career .688 ops hitter. But hey that’s brewers baseball baby.
Yep. 97 wins last year. Best in the league. Brewers Baseball is right. You’ll never understand winning on the margins. I can only assume you are just an entitled ska punk Bostonian with no idea what respect is. Enjoy your struggle to achieve 3rd place at best in the AL East.
97 wins and losing your ace and downgrading at 3b is the move? lmfao Surely you should have added one more big bat? You guys are already playing for 2027.
Everything you said reeks of mainstream media slop. No really, it does. You’ve run out of ridiculous insults and statements yet you think you made a point. Good for you. Are you done with your nonsense?
97 wins after trading Burnes and Williams. When your Sox reach 97 wins this year, let me know.
Look I get it, Brewers can’t afford a real 3b, especially a year after they made it to the division series. That’s rough, hopefully the career 680 ops guy works out though. (It won’t)
Correction. We won the Division series last year. Another accomplishment you want to overlook I guess. Well, I guess you have nothing left to say since you really had nothing to say in the first place. Keep your ego up. It’s the only thing you have.
I don’t need to say anything because instead of stepping their game up so they can maybe win the NL this year they decided to objectively get worse!
Lol! What a statement before the first spring training game even happens.
When you have the best record in baseball and you only lose 2 starters in the off season, with plenty of talent ready to fill the gap, plus adding a 7 year switch hitting vet at the hot corner for a year all sounds like we’ll make a fantastic run to the playoffs again.
Enjoy your Caleb Durbin. Alex Bregman 2.0 right? LoL. Thanks for the laughs YourJustAClownBro!
lol, sounds like you’re really high on Rengifo (a career 680 ops guy). I guess this is what happenes when your clown team can’t get a real 3b. Only 2 starters. lmfao. Are you sure you’re not the clown? “only two” you’re supposed to not lose any clown!
Last year we led the league in wins. End of story. I believe this lie your living about yourself is over. I guess you think Caleb Durbin is an upgrade over resigning Alex Bregman. I’d laugh at that but you don’t even deny it being your truth. Like I said before. Enjoy your struggle for 3rd place.
Now pick up your panties off the floor and shame walk your way out of this conversation. Clown.
First of all, I;m not a red sox fan bro. Second of all, if you led the league in wins but lost in the playoffs you’re supposed to improve your team….not “only lose two guys”. LMFAO!
What are the odds that Kyle Harrison outperforms Tobias Myers over the next 4 seasons?
He doe not impress me at all
No where as good as Volpe or Cabrera of the Yankees
I wish him well. Rengifo was always a solid but not above average player for us.
That is all the Brewers are hoping for here, I feel. Anything more is money in the bank.
Sensible move. The Brewers needed someone in 2026 because the prospects just aren’t quite ready.
Nothing unlocks potential like playing for a winning team. Let’s see if the crew can get this kid going.
I’ve never really understood why teams and players still do mutual options when they are almost never exercised, maybe it’s a leverage thing or a way to kick some money down the road, I don’t know. The last mutual option I remember getting agreed upon was Aramis Ramirez in like 2014 or 2015 and even that had some caveats to it if I remember.
Kicks money down the road. Rengifo can also theoretically say he signed a 2 yr/12mil deal instead of a 1yr/2mil deal. Maybe that matters somewhere, I dont know. I didnt know until recently that adding that mutual option onto deals that go into arbitration means its treated like a multi-year deal and thus arent eligible to be sited as comps or as a previous data point for future arbitration hearings. I thought that was very interesting, so who knows. (See the Brewers/Contreras Avoid Arbitration article)
Happy that he was able to escape the worst franchise in Baseball.
They traded Durbin’s years of control to pay Rengifo more this season? Not sure I fully understand their off season but oh well I’m a royals fan lol