Brewers: 5 Free Agents the Team Should Target This Offseason

Tommy La Stella

A name that some Brewers fans may remember, Tommy La Stella was a Chicago Cub from 2015 to 2018 and while he never shined in the Windy City, he’s turned around his career and established himself as an everyday player in the infield.

The year after he left the NL Central, he was an All-Star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished that 2018 campaign hitting .295 with 16 home runs (more home runs than the rest of his career with 15 total).

While 2019 may look like a bit of a down year for La Stella, don’t let the numbers fool you. He raised his on-base percentage to .370 which was the highest in his career and had the least amount of strikeouts in all of baseball with only 12.

While he may not be the biggest name in free agency for infielders, La Stella is primed to have another successful season and look to continue his reputation as one of the toughest outs in all of baseball.

La Stella saw most of his time at second base last season, but did make six appearances at third base for the A’s. He’s a serviceable fielder, but where he makes his money is at the plate and especially against right handed pitching.

Interestingly enough, La Stella contemplated retirement during the 2016 season with the Cubs and took some time to go back home and ponder the decision. At the time, he felt his love of the game fading away, but that break from baseball brought him back and hungry to make his mark in the MLB.

It will be a challenge to pry La Stella from Oakland as he was traded there from the Angels during the middle of last season, but one of the best contact hitters in the MLB could serve the Brewers well if he chooses Milwaukee.