Milwaukee Brewers Sign Three Infielders

Eric Sogard (Google Images)

The Milwaukee Brewers all of a sudden have a crowded infield. In the last 48 hours, they have come to terms with third baseman Ryon Healy from West Hills, California, first baseman Justin Smoak of Goose Creek, South Carolina and second baseman Eric Sogard of Phoenix, Arizona. Healy, Smoak and Sogard all signed one-year contracts.

Sogard is returning to the Brewers. He played with them before in 2017 and 2018.

Sogard, who will make $4.5 million in 2020, had a career year in 2019 splitting his time with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays. He batted .290 with 13 home runs and 40 runs batted in. In 396 at-bats, Sogard had 59 runs, 115 hits, 23 doubles, two triples, eight stolen bases, 38 walks, a .353 on-base percentage, a .457 slugging percentage, 181 total bases, three sacrifice bunts and three sacrifice flies. Sogard had career highs in runs, hits, home runs, slugging percentage and total bases. In addition to the Blue Jays and Rays, Sogard also played six seasons with the Oakland Athletics.

Healy, who will be earning $1 million in 2020, according to The Times Union, batted .237 with seven home runs and 26 runs batted in with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. In 169 at-bats, he had 24 runs, 40 hits, 16 doubles, 13 walks, a .289 on-base percentage, a .456 slugging percentage and 77 total bases. The Brewers will become Healy’s third team. In addition to the Mariners, Healy has played for the Athletics.

Smoak will be earning $5 million in 2020, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Last season with the Blue Jays, Smoak had a low batting average of .208, but still had 22 home runs and 61 runs batted in. During his 414 at-bats, Smoak had 54 runs, 86 hits, 16 doubles, 79 walks, a .342 on-base percentage, .406 slugging percentage, 168 total bases and one sacrifice fly.

The Brewers will be hoping they get the Smoak who was an All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2017. That year he had 38 home runs and had 90 runs batted in. Along with the Blue Jays, Smoak has played for the Mariners and Texas Rangers.

Milwaukee was in need of improving their corner infield spots due to the fact Mike Moustakas signed a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Cincinnati Reds and the fact Eric Thames is an unrestricted free agent. Initially, the plan seemed to be having Ryan Braun play first base when they signed free agent left fielder Avisail Garcia from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week. However now with the acquisitions of Smoak, who is a natural first baseman, but not as good as a hitter as Braun, and Healy, who is a third baseman, but does not have a great bat either, the Brewers have decisions to make before settling on their opening day roster.

Also, Milwaukee will have to decide on what to do with Sogard. The most logical scenario there is to move Sogard to shortstop and keep Keston Hiura at second base, who had a great rookie year. That means less playing time for last year’s shortstop Orlando Arcia.