Milwaukee Brewers: Key details for Yasmani Grandal’s deal

The Milwaukee Brewers formally announced catcher Yasmani Grandal’s signing today, and revealed a few important details about his contract that were previously unknown.

Yasmani Grandal was officially made the newest Milwaukee Brewer today. Everyone knew that he signed a one-year deal, but what no one knew until today was that Grandal actually has an option, and a buyout clause in his contract.

What are the key details for Grandal’s contract?

Grandal will get $16 million for the 2019 season with the Milwaukee Brewers, but he also has a mutual option worth an additional $16 million. His mutual option also comes with a buyout worth $2.25 million. He’ll either get a one-year deal with $18.25 million, or a two-year deal worth $32 million if both sides want the option picked up.

Should Grandal fire his agent?

Rumors had the New York Mets offering a four-year deal worth more than $60 million. There’s a big difference between a four-year deal worth $60 million and a two-year deal worth $32 million.

If that rumor is accurate, Grandal either REALLY didn’t want to go to New York, or he got bad advice. If it’s the first option, this makes sense. If it’s the second option, he needs to sign with Scott Boras and get paid.

He also turned down a qualifying offer worth $17.9 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers. A one-year deal for $18.25 million is more than $17.9 million, so his agent at least got that aspect right.

What are the chances his option gets picked up?

Not likely. Grandal is essentially getting a $2.25 million bonus at the end of the year. If Grandal has a great year, he will want to head back out onto the open market and try to get the multi-year deal that eluded him this year. If Grandal has a rough season or gets hurt and misses a ton of time, the Milwaukee Brewers probably won’t want him back for 2020 at $16 million. Grandal has a going away present worth $2.25 million waiting for him at the end of the year. Hopefully he’ll schedule his vacation for after the World Series, not before.

Not only did the Milwaukee Brewers upgrade their catching situation, but they added the best catcher available on a team friendly deal. He may not be the long term answer at catcher, but he’s exactly what the 2019 Brewers needed. They’re a second baseman and a real ace away from a roster that can hopefully get past the NLCS.