Ken Rosenthal announced today that the Milwaukee Brewers have signed 33 year old switch hitting first baseman Justin Smoak to a one year, $5 million dollar contract with a club option for 2021. Smoak, who hit .208/.342/.406 with a 101 wRC+ in 2019 with the Blue Jays, will be replacing free agent Eric Thames at first. Smoak had a down year in 2019, but over the past three years he’s hit .243/.350/.470 with a 118 wRC+. Smoak’s defense leaves something to be desired, with -5 DRS over his last 3,200.2 innings at first. It’s not bad, but it could be better. Smoak also provides valuable handedness versatility in a righty heavy lineup. If he can bounce back, it will be a steal of a signing.
