Report: Brewers, Yelich nearing 9-year, $215M extension
The Milwaukee Brewers and star outfielder Christian Yelich are finalizing a contract extension worth around $215 million that will keep him with the team through the 2028 season, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.
There's also a mutual option for the 2029 campaign, Passan adds.
The extension is expected to be announced Friday, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Yelich is currently signed through 2021 with a club option for 2022. His new deal will eliminate the club option and add seven years, sources told Rosenthal.
Yelich has the $12.5M and $14M years from his old deal for 2020 and 2021. Then 2022 to 2028 at $26 mil, then mutual option for 2029 at $20M with a $6.5M buyout. That is how it gets to $215M. Then it could be $228.5 with mutual option. #crew
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 5, 2020
There will reportedly be deferred money, and the average annual value during the seven years is around $27 million per season.
The 28-year-old was named the 2018 National League MVP and finished as the runner-up in 2019 after a knee injury ended his season in September. He owns a career .301/.383/.492 slash line with 139 home runs across seven major-league campaigns spent with the Brewers and Miami Marlins.
Prior to the two-time All-Star's reported extension, the largest deal in Brewers' history was a five-year, $105-million pact given to current teammate Ryan Braun.
The move is a significant development for Milwaukee after losing catcher Yasmani Grandal and infielder Mike Moustakas to free agency during the offseason.