:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67715712/usa_today_14849849.0.jpg)
The Milwaukee Brewers have opted to decline Jedd Gyorko’s 2020 option, according to Robert Murray. The team signed the corner infielder to a $1,000,000 deal in 2020, with the $4.5 million option. By declining, the Brewers owe Gyorko a $1,000,000 buyout.
Brewers declined Jedd Gyorko’s $4.5 million club option, source said.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) October 30, 2020
Gyorko started the pandemic shortened season as a predominantly platoon player for Milwaukee. He eventually established himself as one of the best hitters on the team. For the season, he slashed .248/.333/.504 with nine homers. His 121 OPS+ was easily best on the squad and he tied for first in fWAR at 0.7.
Despite that good season, Gyorko didn’t do enough to come back on his option. With a market many are predicting to be tough on free agents, it could be that the Brewers think they can save some money by re-signing him to something even cheaper. It could also be Milwaukee admitting that their offseason plan didn’t go the way they expected and they’re re-shifting the organizational focus.
So far, Milwaukee has declined the options of Ryan Braun and Ben Gamel. The team controls the rights to Gamel, so Braun, Gyorko and Brett Anderson are the only free agents from the 2020 season at this time. A decision on Eric Sogard has yet to be reported.
Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference