Derek Jeter makes another big trade as fire sale continues
The Miami Marlins are turning into baseball’s Motel 6 — to whoever is left: “We’ll leave the light on for you.”
Derek Jeter’s offseason fire sale continued Thursday, as the Marlins sent star outfielder Christian Yelich to Milwaukee in exchange for four prospects.
The #Brewers have acquired OF Christian Yelich from Miami in exchange for OF Lewis Brinson, OF Monte Harrison, INF Isan Diaz and RHP Jordan Yamamoto. pic.twitter.com/1Cni0JA67B
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) January 25, 2018
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal broke the story.
Christian Yelich traded to #Brewers, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 25, 2018
The package Milwaukee is sending to Florida is headlined by young outfielder Lewis Brinson.
Yelich, a former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, has a tremendously favorable contract. He is owed a very reasonable $58.25 million over the next five seasons.
The Yelich trade, of course, comes during a winter where Miami has traded National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees, fellow All-Star Marcel Ozuna to St. Louis and speedy second baseman Dee Gordon to the Mariners.
After seeing the dismantling of what was a young, talented team, Yelich reportedly went to Marlins management and asked for a trade.
He was clearly dismayed by the devastation of this winter.
https://twitter.com/ChristianYelich/status/956721758211641344
That, and the fact that he’ll play this season at just 26 years old, made him a huge trade target for teams in recent weeks.
Brinson made it to the bigs for 21 games in September and hit only .106, but he tore up AAA pitching, batting .331 with 13 home runs in 76 games.
Milwaukee was a major surprise last season, staying in the playoff race until the final game.
The Brew Crew is a little bit excited about getting Yelich.
https://twitter.com/ZDavies3/status/956674256959504384
But Milwaukee wasn’t done yet, and neither was Rosenthal.
#Brewers in agreement with free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain, sources tell The Athletic. Deal is pending a physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 26, 2018
The Brewers reacquired All-Star center fielder Lorenzo Cain, whom they had dealt to Kansas City in exchange for Zack Greinke back in 2010.
And Lorenzo Cain???? NOW we go! #Brewers #Brewcrew let’s go!! pic.twitter.com/TP1yRc7VQt
— Travis Shaw (@travis_shaw21) January 26, 2018
Cain, of course, won a World Championship with the Royals. He was the MVP in the 2014 American League Championship Series.
His deal is for five years and $80 million.
It’s clear that the Brewers wants to overtake the Cubs and Cardinals, and they’re willing to spend to do it.
The #Brewers invest $123.5 million In 2 outfielders today, nearly total of entire opening-day roster of last two years. https://t.co/NFnDeJFXOo via @USATODAY
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 26, 2018
There might be something else brewing in Brew Town; the team also reportedly is interested in signing one of the prime free agent pitchers — Jake Arrieta or Yu Darvish.
If the front office can pull that off, we may have another tight race in the NL Central, and maybe even a different result.
Meanwhile, in Miami? Well, we thought it would be impossible for any new owner to be disliked more than Jeffrey Loria.
Jeter is putting that theory to the test.
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