Report: Brewers, ex-Blue Jay Justin Smoak agree to one-year deal

Toronto Blue Jays' Justin Smoak jogs to first while watching his two-run home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in New York. (Sarah Stier / AP)

Sportsnet Staff December 19, 2019, 10:28 AM

The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with first baseman Justin Smoak, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

First baseman Justin Smoak and the Milwaukee Brewers are in agreement on a one-year, $5 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2019

The contract, as Passan reported, includes a $5.5 million club option for 2021. In 2020, Smoak will be paid $4 million with a $1 million buyout (i.e. guaranteeing a payout of at least $5 million). Jon Heyman was first to report that a deal was coming together.

Smoak, who spent the past five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, has posted three consecutive years of 20-plus home runs and an OPS+ above league average. The 33-year-old earned $8 million last season with the Blue Jays.

Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith noted that the Blue Jays were in contact with Smoak this winter and are still pursuing options to replace him at first base.

#BlueJays maintained contact with Smoak throughout the off-season, but he now seems headed to Brewers.

Meanwhile, Jays are still exploring 1B market. There's mutual interest with Edwin Encarnacion. Travis Shaw has been mentioned. Mitch Moreland, Eric Thames also free agents.

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) December 19, 2019

Agreeing to a deal with Smoak continues an active off-season for the Brewers, who recently signed Avisail Garcia, Brett Anderson and Josh Lindblom, among others.

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