Milwaukee Brewers sign Brett Lawrie to minor league deal

After being out of baseball for the past two years, Brett Lawrie is back, having signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

There had been a time when Brett Lawrie was considered one of the top young players in the league, a burgeoning star that could play either second or third base. He was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays, despite injury concerns that limited his time on the field. However, right when his prime was supposed to begin, Lawrie left the game, his 2016 season the last time he was on the diamond.

Now, after two years away from the game, Lawrie is back. He announced on his Instagram profile that he has signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, which includes an option for 2020. According to Brewers beat writer Robert Murray, the deal with worth a maximum $7 million.

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After missing the past two years, it would not be a surprise for Lawrie to take some time to get back to form. He certainly would not appear to be a candidate to crack the Opening Day roster, let alone the lineup, following Spring Training this season. However, a strong showing in the minors as he shakes the rust of the past two years away could lead to a look at the major league level.

As it stands, the Brewers second base situation is hardly set. Cory Spangenberg and Hernan Perez are presently expected to form a platoon at the position, with neither showing even the essentially league average production that Lawrie produced over his career.

Of course, that landscape is subject to change. The Brewers could well look to sign Mike Moustakas once again, moving Travis Shaw back to second base. If that happens, both Perez and Spangenberg would be pushed to a bench role, leaving Lawrie’s path to the lineup far more difficult. And yet, it may not take much to push either of the present options off the roster, even if Moustakas returns.

The Milwaukee Brewers have made an interesting move in adding Brett Lawrie on a minor league deal. If he can shake the rust off and return to his essentially league average performance, it could be a brilliant addition.