The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly nearing a more-than $200 million extension with outfielder Christian Yelich.
Tuesday afternoon, Ken Rosenthal reported in The Athletic that major league sources told the publication the outfielder and organization are closing in on a massive deal for the 28-year-old. Yelich, who is currently on a seven-year, $49.57 million deal, is expected to be a valued centerpiece of the Brewers moving into the 2020 regular season.
While Yelich is set to be paid $12.5 million for this season and $14 million next season with a $15 million club option, the new contract could have him raking in upwards of $35 million annually. If all goes to plan, this would make him one of the highest-paid players in the league. It is unclear what will become of the remainder of Yelich’s contract and his club option in his current deal as this deal comes to a close.
Yelich had an impressive 2019 season, leading the National League with a .329/.429/.671 slash line. The 2018 NL MVP will likely become the focus of the team’s season in 2020, with losses of big names like catcher Yasmani Grandal to the Chicago White Sox, and infielder Mike Moustakas to the Cincinnati Reds.
The deal is expected to be for seven years and will likely be officially announced Friday at the team’s Spring Training facility in Maryvale, Arizona.
