Milwaukee Brewers: Complete 2019-2020 Offseason Preview

Club Options

Chase Anderson, Eric Thames, Manny Pina

Two years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Chase Anderson to a modest contract extension after a breakout 2017 season. There were two guaranteed years on the deal, with the final two years being club options.

After a disappointing campaign in 2018 and a mild bounceback in 2019, Anderson has a club option for $8.5 million in 2020 with a $500k buyout. Based on his performance, there’s little chance the Brewers would want to pay Anderson $8.5 million given he won’t have a rotation spot staked out, and that’s a lot of money for a long reliever and spot starter.

Don’t rule out Anderson returning on a smaller contract, but this option will surely be declined.

Eric Thames has finished the three year, $15 million guaranteed deal he signed prior to the 2017 season. He had a breakout 2017, regressed in 2018, and bounced back in 2019. Overall, it was a good contract. His option for 2020 is for $7.5 million and contains a $1 million buyout.

This will be a tough decision. He’s played well and with Jesus Aguilar now gone, there’s not much for challengers at first base. But $7.5 million is a lot of money and the Brewers could put that to good use elsewhere and find someone cheaper who can put up the same kind of production. Don’t be surprised if it gets declined but the Brewers sign him back anyways.

Manny Pina went from the starting catcher to the backup catcher with the addition of Grandal this year. He did a good job when he got to fill in for Grandal and could be the starter once again if Grandal signs elsewhere. His $1.85 million option has a $150k buyout, but that’s a paltry sum to pay for Pina. This should be picked up.