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The Milwaukee Brewers made an underrated outfield addition on Monday by signing free agent Avisail Garcia to a two-year, $20 million contract, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Avisail Garcia agrees to Brewers deal. 20M, 2 years
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 16, 2019
The pact had been rumored on Friday night when various reports linked Garcia to the Brewers, but at that time, the deal’s terms were unknown and the pact had yet to be finalized. Now, the deal is done.
According to Heyman, the Brewers were prepared to offer a three-year deal to the 28-year-old but he asked for just two years, betting on himself with a chance to earn a bigger payday if he succeeds in Milwaukee.
Avisail Garcia turned down 3 year deals with Brewers and elsewhere due to the expiring basic agreement in 2 years and the chance to raise the AAV afterward. Betting on himself #brewers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 16, 2019
Garcia was an international signing of the Tigers who made his debut at 21 years old in 2012. He was traded to the White Sox in 2013 and recorded an All-Star season with them in 2017 before signing a deal with the Rays for 2019.
This past season, he slashed an impressive .282/.332/.464 with 72 RBI on 138 hits, including 20 home runs, 25 doubles, and a pair of triples. He also stole 10 bases on 14 attempts while striking out 125 times and walking 31. Further, he led the Rays in the hit by pitch category as he was issued seven free passes via a plunking. Garcia spent 100 games in the outfield and 24 at designated hitter, proving his effectiveness in the outfield will likely carry over as he makes his National League debut for Milwaukee next season.
Garcia received more than the offensive two-year, $12 million valuation he was given by MLB Trade Rumors, but even two years for $20 million seems like a bargain for a slugger who gets on base one-third of the time.