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The Milwaukee Brewers have tendered contracts to OF Ben Gamel, LHP Josh Hader, RHP Corey Knebel and LHP Brent Suter, in addition to the one-year deal signed by Orlando Arcia. They have non-tendered INF Tyler Saladino, INF Travis Shaw, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Junior Guerra and RHP Jimmy Nelson.
SS Orlando Arcia signs a 1-year contract, avoiding arbitration. OF Ben Gamel, LHP Josh Hader, RHP Corey Knebel and LHP Brent Suter have been tendered contracts. INF Tyler Saladino, INF Travis Shaw, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Junior Guerra and RHP Jimmy Nelson have been non-tendered. pic.twitter.com/Ff6nJR7y2p
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) December 3, 2019
By releasing those five players, Milwaukee has freed up an estimated $15.1 million in contracts for the offseason. It also reduces the depth even further. Shaw was the only remaining third baseman and first baseman with a track record of success in the organization. Guerra and Claudio were useful, but sometimes shaky, options in the bullpen in 2019. Saladino was the only utility infielder with regular experience at multiple positions on the 40-man roster.
It’s easy to understand why each player was cut, though. Shaw had a miserable season, spending half of it in the minor leagues while trying to repair his mental game and failing. Claudio is a one-batter pitcher heading into a season with a three-batter minimum. Nelson is still trying to regain form, something a competitive team cannot have the patience to wait for. Saladino did nothing well and other players have entered the market with more to offer from a utility role. I don’t really get the Guerra move, honestly.
(Editor’s note: the Junior Guerra non-tender was the only Brewers move that reported before the deadline by anyone in the media. Allow me to toot my own horn a little. — Kyle)
The Brewers will be non-tendering Junior Guerra.
— Kyle Lesniewski (@KyleL_Brewers) November 27, 2019
Meanwhile, the Brewers made the obvious ‘yes’ choices with ease. Hader is worth way more than the $4 million+ he’s expected to get through arbitration. Knebel has a history of major success for Milwaukee. Arcia agreed to a discounted one-year deal. Meanwhile, Suter and Gamel are expected to cost pennies.
With today’s signings by other teams and this announcement, the Brewers have lost a significant chunk of their roster since the end of the season. It has also freed up a large sum of money for David Stearns to go fix it. My popcorn’s ready and I’m waiting for him to put on a show.
Salary estimates from Spotrac