MLB Free Agency: Milwaukee Brewers sign Lorenzo Cain
The Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly signed free agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain.
It’s been a busy evening for the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ve already traded for Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich. And now, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Brewers have signed veteran outfielder Lorenzo Cain.
Lorenzo Cain has agreed on a 5-year, $80M deal with the #Brewers, source says. It’s the biggest free agent contract of the offseason. The deal includes no-trade protection and significant award bonuses. Milwaukee building a super outfield with addition of Yelich and Cain.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 26, 2018
Cain’s deal with the Brewers is for five years and $80 million. The contract reportedly comes with a no-trade clause and “significant award bonuses.” Cain, who will be 32 in April, previously spent seven years with the Kansas City Royals. He was originally drafted by the Brewers and spent his rookie season in Milwaukee in 2010. So this is a reunion of sorts.
Though Cain is on the wrong side of 30, he continues to be highly productive. With the Royals last season, he slashed .300/.363/.440 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI.
Cain will also bring some serious speed to Milwaukee. In 2017, he stole an impressive 26 bases. He’s stolen 127 bases over the course of his eight-year career.
Milwaukee has started to compete ahead of schedule. They won 86 games last year while finishing second in the National League Central behind the Chicago Cubs. And though they just missed the postseason last year, they clearly look to be in better shape to get there this time around.
Next: Brewers trade for Christian Yelich
The Brewers appear to be serious about reaching the postseason in 2018. They now have quite the impressive outfield with Cain and Yelich. Five years is a long time for a player who will soon be 32, but Cain has yet to show any signs of regression. His .363 OBP in 2017 was the highest clip of his career. And his 26 stolen bases last year were also just shy of his career-high 28.
A career .290 hitter, Cain will bring a solid bat, good speed and dependable defense along with a veteran leadership presence to Milwaukee.