Eric Sogard

Brewers Designate Eric Sogard For Assignment

By Steve Adams | July 5, 2018 at 3:28pm CDT

The Brewers announced Thursday that they’ve reinstated Tyler Saladino from the 10-day disabled list and created a spot on the active roster by designating struggling second baseman Eric Sogard for assignment. The move leaves Milwaukee’s 40-man roster at a total of 39 players.

Sogard, 32, re-signed with the Brewers last October after turning in a quality season at the dish and in the field. The 2018 season has been a disaster for Sogard, though, as he’s batted just .134/.241/.165 through 113 trips to the plate. And while he’s known as a strong defender at second base, he’s spent more time this season at shortstop, where he hasn’t rated out as well defensively.

Sogard did bat .273/.393/.378 through 299 plate appearances last season, but his overall body of work in the Majors — a .238/.309/.314 slash in 1743 plate appearances — suggests that he’s unlikely to return to those heights. Both Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating peg Sogard as a strong defender at second base and at third base, and he could continue to provide infield depth for the Crew if he ultimately clears waivers.

Brewers Acquire Erik Kratz, Designate Jett Bandy, Option Orlando Arcia

By Steve Adams | May 25, 2018 at 11:37am CDT

The Brewers made a significant series of roster moves on Friday, acquiring veteran backstop Erik Kratz from the Yankees in exchange for cash and designating Jett Bandy for assignment to clear a spot on the roster. Both teams have announced the trade. Additionally, Milwaukee announced that shortstop Orlando Arcia and righty Jorge Lopez have been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs in favor of veteran infielder Eric Sogard and right-hander Adrian Houser.

Set to turn 38 in June, Kratz is off to a .269/.356/.538 start with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. While he doesn’t have a lengthy track record at the big league level, he’s shown throughout parts of eight big league seasons that he possess some pop, homering 24 times in 649 plate appearances and notching a .163 ISO. Of course, Kratz’s overall .203/.250/.366 slash line in that time has been sub-par and serves to illustrate why his time in the Majors has been sporadic. To his credit, he’s halted 34 percent of stolen-base attempts against him in the Majors and has been similarly effective throughout his minor league career (32 percent).

As for Bandy, the Brewers will have a week to trade him, Ttry to pass him through outright waivers or release him. The 28-year-old showed a bit of promise early in his career with the Angels but has struggled in two seasons with Milwaukee, hitting just .202/.282/.326. While Milwaukee GM David Stearns has made his share of shrewd moves since taking over the team’s baseball operations department, the decision to flip Martin Maldonado to the Angels in exchange for Bandy likely ranks among his most regrettable swaps, as Maldonado has provided more with the bat and also took home an AL Gold Glove last season in his first year with the Halos.

Arcia, meanwhile, looked to have gone a long way toward establishing himself as a regular in the Milwaukee infield last season. After struggling as a 21-year-old in his debut back in 2016, the longtime top prospect hit .277/.324/.407 with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases last season. The 2018 season, however, has proven to be a full course reversal at the dish.

Through 146 trips to the dish this season, Arcia has mustered a feeble .194/.233/.273 slash with two homers and five doubles. His walk rate is down two percent, his strikeout rate is up five percent, and his 28.6 percent hard-contact rate is considerably south of the league average. Arcia has contributed quality glovework, to be sure, but that apparently wasn’t deemed enough to salvage his spot on the roster for the time being.

Tyler Saladino figures to be the primary beneficiary of the Brewers’ decision to offer Arcia a mental reset of sorts, as he’s hit well in his brief time since being acquired from the White Sox and offers a solid glove in his own right. While the 28-year-old certainly doesn’t possess the same upside as Arcia, who once ranked as one of the game’s 10 to 15 top overall prospects, he’ll serve as a stopgap while Arcia seeks to remedy his swing and improve upon his plate discipline in a lower-pressure setting.

Brewers Select Nick Franklin, Option Eric Sogard

By Jeff Todd | May 8, 2018 at 3:12pm CDT

The Brewers have selected the contract of utilityman Nick Franklin, per a club announcement. He’ll take the active roster spot of infielder Eric Sogard, who has been optioned.

To open a 40-man spot, the club has shifted catcher Stephen Vogt to the 60-day DL. That means he won’t be eligible to return until the end of the month. It seems, though, that the veteran receiver has suffered a setback in his efforts to return from a shoulder injury, as Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets. We’ll have to await further word before assessing.

The news represents a disappointing turn for Sogard, who signed a one-year, $2.4MM deal to return to Milwaukee before he even formally reached free agency. Sogard, 31, had turned in his best season at the plate at the MLB level in 2017. But he’s off to a brutal start this year, with a .100/.194/.150 slash over 68 plate appearances.

As for Franklin, he’s back in the majors for a sixth-straight season. Once a top prospect, Franklin has never quite consistently produced at the game’s highest level. In his 921 total plate appearances in the bigs, he’s a .213/.285/.360 hitter.

Brewers Re-Sign Eric Sogard

By Steve Adams | October 26, 2017 at 3:03pm CDT

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.

NL Notes: Brewers, Scherzer, McCutchen, Cards, Dodgers

By Connor Byrne | October 1, 2017 at 4:50pm CDT

The Brewers’ impending free agents – infielders Neil Walker and Eric Sogard, reliever Anthony Swarzak and starter Matt Garza – spoke about their futures Sunday with Adam McCalvy of MLB.com and other reporters. Walker, the most noteworthy of the bunch, suggested that he’s keen on testing the open market in the offseason, though the August trade acquisitions did note that Milwaukee “is the type of team I’m going to be looking at. One that’s ready to win now and one that I can help.” Sogard and Swarzak made it clear they’d like to return to the Brewers, meanwhile, with the latter saying: “There’s still room to get better, and hopefully everybody in Brewers Nation gets to see a better Anthony Swarzak next year, because I want to stay here. I want to make another push here.”

While there’s clearly more baseball ahead of Walker, Sogard and Swarzak, the elder statesman of the group, Garza, admitted that his career could be at an end. The soon-to-be 34-year-old Garza acknowledged that he has struggled over the past couple seasons and said he’s “not expecting much” in the way of offers during the winter. Garza is wrapping up the four-year, $50MM contract he inked with the Brewers prior to the 2014 campaign. The righty made 96 appearances (93 starts) as a Brewer and logged a 4.65 ERA/4.38 FIP with the team.

Brewers Place Ryan Braun On DL, Select Contract Of Eric Sogard

By Steve Adams | May 12, 2017 at 2:04pm CDT

The Brewers announced on Friday that they’ve placed Ryan Braun on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained left calf muscle. In a corresponding move, the Brewers have selected the contract of former Athletics infielder Eric Sogard from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Brewers had an open 40-man roster spot, so no additional move is needed to accommodate Sogard’s addition.

[Related: Updated Milwaukee Brewers Depth Chart]

The 33-year-old Braun is off to an excellent start in 2017, hitting .287/.374/.574 with seven homers, six doubles and four steals through 107 plate appearances. However, he’s also been slowed as of late by a balky calf muscle and has been dealing with a bit of forearm pain as well. His DL stint, which was made retroactive to yesterday, will theoretically give him time to rest up both of those seemingly minor maladies. The hope, per manager Craig Counsell (via MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM, on Twitter), is that Braun won’t be out long at all.

Braun has been in headlines recently due to the fact that he’s slated to gain 10-and-5 rights this weekend (10 years of MLB service time, the past five with the same team), which will afford him full veto power over any proposed trades that would send him to another team. Of course, Braun’s existing contract already came with significant no-trade protection, as it allowed him to block trades to 23 clubs. While he previously could’ve been shipped to any of the five California-based teams or the Marlins without his consent, he’ll now have a say in any potential trade.

Braun, however, has suggested that his impending 10-and-5 right don’t figure to change much about his potential trade candidacy. Braun has reportedly been most open to a deal to the Dodgers, and FanRag’s Jon Heyman wrote again yesterday that the Dodgers may be the only team to which Braun would approve a deal.

As for Sogard, he’ll return to the Majors after missing the entire 2016 season due to knee surgery. Considered a premium defender in the infield (with his best position being second base), Sogard was also off to a fast start in Colorado Springs, slashing .330/.421/.516 with three homers and a 5-for-5 showing in stolen base attempts. Of course, Colorado Springs (and the Pacific Coast League in general) is considered a very hitter-friendly atmosphere, and Sogard’s track record at the plate in the Majors is considerably more limited. In 1331 big league plate appearances, all of which have come with the A’s, the 30-year-old Sogard is a .239/.295/.313 hitter.

Brewers Sign Eric Sogard, Andy Oliver, Hiram Burgos To Minors Deals

By Steve Adams | December 15, 2016 at 1:05pm CDT

The Brewers announced on Thursday that they’ve signed infielder Eric Sogard, left-hander Andy Oliver and right-hander Hiram Burgos to minor league contracts with invites to Major League Spring Training.

[Related: Updated Milwaukee Brewers Depth Chart]

Sogard, 30, comes with the most big league experience of the bunch. The longtime Athletics infielder missed the 2016 season due to knee surgery but was a staple in the Oakland infield from 2013-15, during which time he batted .247/.305/.315. Suffice it to say, Sogard isn’t known for his bat, but he’s an excellent defensive second baseman that is also capable of playing both shortstop and third base. Sogard also brings some speed to the table, as he swiped 27 bases over those three years despite a limited role. Fangraphs rated his baserunning in both 2014 and 2015 to be especially valuable. The Brewers figure to have an infield consisting of Eric Thames (first base), Jonathan Villar (second base), Orlando Arcia (shortstop) and Travis Shaw (third base) on most days, but Sogard offers more defensive versatility than Scooter Gennett, who currently projects as a reserve in Milwaukee, so perhaps he could push Gennett for a roster spot this spring.

Oliver, 29, was once one of the top-regarded arms in the Tigers’ farm system, but it’s been five full seasons since he pitched at the Major League level. He turned in a very solid season with the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate in 2016, however, pitching to a 3.43 ERA with 84 strikeouts against 36 walks in 86 2/3 innings of work between the Norfolk rotation and bullpen. The 14 starts he logged in 2016 were the most he’s made since 2013 (as a member of the Pirates organization), and the bullpen seemingly provides a better path back to the Majors in Milwaukee than the rotation, where the Brewers have seven rotation options on the 40-man roster (Junior Guerra, Matt Garza, Chase Anderson, Zach Davies, Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson and the newly signed Tommy Milone).

Burgos, also 29, is actually a re-signing, as he’s spent his entire professional career with the Brewers since they made him their sixth-round pick back in 2009. The Puerto Rican right-hander was dominant in the minors in 2012 and made his MLB debut with the Brewers a season later in 2013, but shoulder troubles have derailed his once fairly promising career. He’s topped 140 innings in each of the past two Triple-A campaigns, though, pitching to an even 4.00 ERA with respectable strikeout and walk rates. He could be a depth option for Milwaukee this year in the event that injuries and/or trade create some vacancies on the pitching staff.

A’s Outright Eric Sogard, Fernando Rodriguez, Four Others

By Steve Adams | October 9, 2016 at 8:20am CDT

TODAY: Rodriguez, Landendorf, Roach, Lambo, McBride and Smith have all declared free agency, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter link). Sogard also elected to become a free agent on Saturday.

THURSDAY: The Athletics announced this afternoon that they’ve outrighted second baseman Eric Sogard, infielder Tyler Ladendorf, first baseman Andrew Lambo and right-handers Fernando Rodriguez, Donn Roach and J.B. Wendelken to Triple-A Nashville, thereby removing those six players from their 40-man roster. That makes eight players that Oakland has shed from its 40-man roster in the past 24 hours, as the team also outrighted Matt McBride and Chris Smith yesterday.

Sogard is the most notable name of the bunch, though he missed the entire 2016 season due to knee surgery. Prior to that, the 30-year-old Sogard saw semi-regular time with the A’s from 2013-15, and he’s spent parts of five years on the Oakland roster dating back to 2011. The outright could spell the end of his time in Oakland, as Sogard has the Major League service time required to elect free agency. The 30-year-old batted just .247/.294/.304 in 401 plate appearances last season and has slashed a mere .247/.305/.315 from 2013-15. He did, however, draw positive grades for his baserunning, per Fangraphs, and both Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating peg him as a plus defender at second base. Sogard is also capable of filling in at shortstop and third base as needed, so he could make for a nice utility target for clubs seeking low-cost defensive upgrades this winter.

Rodriguez, 32, underwent shoulder surgery last month but logged 40 2/3 serviceable innings out of the Oakland bullpen in 2016. Since joining the A’s in 2014, he’s pitched to a solid 3.74 ERA with 8.8 K/9 against 3.6 BB/9. Like Sogard, Rodriguez has the requisite service time to elect free agency following his outright assignment, and depending on his progress from shoulder surgery could be a nice buy-low target for teams looking for veteran ’pen depth.

Wendelken, 23, has been weighing Tommy John surgery and recently sought a second opinion on his right elbow. Given the current injury he’s facing, it’s not a surprise that he cleared waivers. The A’s will be able to retain his rights and clear a 40-man roster spot by outrighting him, and he can rehab from any surgery that he may ultimately undergo next season without accruing MLB service time. Oakland picked up Wendelken in last winter’s trade that sent Brett Lawrie to Chicago, and he showed a penchant for missing bats in Triple-A (4.11 ERA, 12.7 K/9, 5.1 BB/9 in 46 innings) before struggling in a small sample of MLB games.

Roach, 28, has been traded once and claimed on waivers five time since being drafted by the Angels in 2010. His extreme ground-ball tendencies and strong control have continually piqued the interest of Major League clubs despite the fact that he’s a soft-tossing righty who has averaged fewer than five strikeouts per nine innings in Triple-A. Roach has been outrighted in the past and figures to elect free agency in search of a minor league deal this winter.

Ladendorf, 28, collected just four hits in 50 plate appearances with the A’s this season and has played sparingly over the past two seasons at the Major League level. Originally a second-round draft pick of the Twins, Ladendorf was traded to Oakland back in 2009 in exchange for Orlando Cabrera and is a career .261/.327/.349 hitter at the Triple-A level, where he’s played shortstop, second base, third base and outfield.

Lambo, 28, picked up just one plate appearance with the A’s in 2016 and is a career .189/.230/.295 batter at the Major League level. The former top prospect saw his 2016 campaign come to an end in mid-June after the A’s announced that he’d undergone surgery to treat testicular cancer. The announcement from the A’s was made on Twitter and, as such, doesn’t come with a timeline for Lambo’s recovery, but hopefully he is progressing well and can ultimately make a return to baseball.

Eric Sogard Elects Free Agency

By Connor Byrne | October 8, 2016 at 8:16pm CDT

Second baseman Eric Sogard was among the many players the Athletics outrighted off their 40-man roster earlier this week. That may have ended Sogard’s tenure with the organization, as the 30-year-old has elected free agency in lieu of an assignment to Triple-A Nashville, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link).

Sogard, whom the Padres chose in the second round of the 2007 draft, joined the A’s in 2010 in a trade that also sent Kevin Kouzmanoff to Oakland. Sogard garnered minimal major league experience over his first three seasons with the A’s, but his playing time picked up in earnest in 2013. Between then and 2015, Sogard amassed 1,140 plate appearances and batted a below-average .247/.305/.315. On the plus side, Sogard graded well on the base paths and in the field during that span, per FanGraphs, and he showed off some versatility by spending time at shortstop and third base.

Injuries were the main story during the 2016 campaign for Sogard, who began the year on the disabled list with a shoulder problem and then underwent season-ending knee surgery in April. Sogard made $1.5MM this year and was scheduled to go through arbitration for the third and final time during the offseason. He’ll instead hit free agency a year early.

Eric Sogard Undergoes Knee Surgery

By Steve Adams | April 20, 2016 at 4:46pm CDT

Athletics infielder Eric Sogard is undergoing left knee surgery at the moment, manager Bob Melvin told reporters, including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). Last week, Sogard informed the media that doctors had found loose bodies in his knee and would likely undergo surgery. Sogard said he’s played through pain in his knee the past couple of years, but he’s reached the point where surgery is required. Dr. James Andrews is performing the operation, tweets John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group.

At the time the injury was made known to the public, Sogard was expected to be out six to eight weeks, though a definitive timeline won’t be known until the operation is completed and the club makes some form of announcement. Losing Sogard for an extended period does thin out the Athletics’ infield depth, but as is so often the case in Oakland, the club has enough players that are capable of handling multiple spots to cover in his absence. Jed Lowrie (second base) and Marcus Semien (shortstop) currently comprise the middle-infield duo for Melvin’s team. While the bench lacks a true backup shortstop, Lowrie has plenty of experience and could slide across the infield should a need arise, with Chris Coghlan then presenting an alternative at second base. Should the A’s need to tap into their minor league system to bolster the big league club’s infield depth, versatile Tyler Ladendorf is on the 40-man roster and has played shortstop, second base, third base and all three outfield spots in his minor league career.

Sogard, 29, has spent parts of the past six seasons with the A’s and seen semi-regular playing time in each of the past three. While he’s not a particularly productive bat (career .239/.295/.313 batting line), Sogard is an excellent defensive second baseman that can also handle both shortstop and third base. He’s controllable through the 2017 season via the arbitration process, although with a $1.5MM salary in 2016, he could potentially arise as a non-tender candidate depending on the severity of his injury and/or the extent to which his bat can improve following a pair of difficult years at the plate.

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