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With the World Series ending in an Atlanta victory last night, today was the first day of MLB’s 2021-22 offseason. Slingin’ David Stearns and the Milwaukee Brewers did not wait to begin making moves, announcing this afternoon that right-hander Trevor Gott has been signed to a one-year contract.
RHP Trevor Gott has been signed to a 1-year contract. pic.twitter.com/Qne9HxPbtw
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) November 3, 2021
Further reporting reveals that the contract for Gott is a split one, meaning that he’ll be given a 40-man roster spot for now but be paid differing amounts whether he’s pitching in the majors or assigned to the minor leagues. This is notable because Gott is out of options, and being a player who has previously cleared waivers and has been outrighted in his career, that gives him the right to elect free agency if the Brewers were to successfully pass him through the waiver wire. The terms of the deal haven’t yet been reported, but a high minor league salary could convince Gott to stay in the organization if that scenario were to come to fruition.
For now, Gott will be in the mix to win a spot in the bullpen come next Spring Training. A former 6th-round pick in 2013, the right-hander has appeared in parts of six MLB seasons with the Angels, Nationals, and Giants. The 29 year old has worked to a 5.01 ERA across 140.0 innings pitched, with 7.5 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 to go along with a 47.4% ground ball rate. He’s been lauded for his “stuff” — including a more recent shift away from a sinker and more to a ~95 MPH four-seam fastball to pair with his curveball — and posted solid results in Triple-A this year. His whiff rate was way up, including a 14.9% swinging-strike rate and 11.5 K/9, to go with a 4.10 ERA in 41.2 innings pitched at the highest level of the minors.
I've wanted the Brewers to take the flier on Trevor Gott for awhile now. Results haven't been there for a couple of years, but I like his stuff. Fastball-curve combo could be very effective with improved command.
— Jack Stern (@baseball7310) November 3, 2021
Here's what I wrote on Gott back in April.https://t.co/2RvTnUlqOy
After the signing was reported, Stearns told reporters “Trevor has a good arm and will come to camp next year competing for a spot in our pen. We saw his stuff play well in Triple-A in 2021 and are excited to bring him to camp.” If the Brewers like Gott and he sticks with the team through 2022, his contract could be controlled for an additional two seasons beyond that through arbitration.
Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs