Sources: Brewers, Cain agree to deal
Fresh off trading for outfielder Christian Yelich from the Marlins, the Brewers have agreed to a contract with free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain, sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Thursday night.The deal is for five years and worth $80 million, which would be the largest free-agent contract so far this
Fresh off trading for outfielder
The deal is for five years and worth $80 million, which would be the largest free-agent contract so far this offseason. The club hasn't confirmed the deal, which is pending the completion of a physical.
The deal includes a no-trade clause and "significant award bonuses," per ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
The 31-year-old Cain, selected by Milwaukee in the 17th round of the 2004 Draft, batted .300/.363/.440 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 155 games in 2017 for the Royals.
A source told Morosi that the Brewers' most likely outfield arrangement is to use Cain in center field, Yelich in one corner position and
The Brewers have a ton of OF control now. Yelich and Cain are each locked up for the next five years. Santana has four years before free agency. Phillips six years. Braun is signed through at least 2020.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 26, 2018
If the deal is completed and, as has been reported, worth more than $50 million, the Royals would receive a compensatory 2018 Draft pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A.
The Brewers, as a team that receives revenue sharing, would lose its third-highest selection in the 2018 Draft by signing Cain. If Milwaukee signs two players for at least $50 million each, it would also forfeit its fourth-highest remaining pick.
Oliver Macklin is a reporter for MLB.com based in Washington. Follow him on Twitter at @basebollie.