I do not like the sound of this rumor one bit. At this stage of the offseason, when guys are signing relatively quickly without a lot of build-up on the rumor mill, I see something like this and I get nervous that it actually IS close. [UPDATES BELOW. It was indeed close.]
The Brewers and Kolten Wong:
Brewers are in discussions with free-agent second baseman Kolten Wong, sources tell @TheAthletic. Not clear at this point whether a deal is close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 3, 2021
As we’ve said, Wong is one of the best free agents left on the market for a team like the Cubs, as he would provide a high-contact bat, quality production at least against righties, and an elite glove at second base (which could disproportionately help a Cubs pitching staff that might need it). So, yeah, it would really sting to see the Brewers land him instead.
The Brewers have done bupkis this offseason despite a very winnable NL Central, so it wouldn’t shock me to see them finally spend some money. I guess the thinking here would be that Keston Hiura moves to a corner infield spot? Because you aren’t signing Wong to play anywhere but second base, where he’s probably the best in the game right now.
Wong is a free agent by virtue of having his $12.5 million option semi-surprisingly declined by the Cardinals, and it is often the case in these situations that a player and his agent really try to get a deal near that level. It’s long been unclear whether the Cubs had $10+ million to spend on Wong, though they’ve loosely been attached in rumors (and again, the fit is obvious).
UPDATE: I’m just saying, you don’t usually see this kind of confirmation unless the talks are very real:
Kolten Wong is in talks with the Brewers as @Ken_Rosenthal said
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 3, 2021
UPDATE 2: So real that a deal is happening:
Kolten Wong and the #Brewers have agreed to terms on a multiyear contract, source says. @Ken_Rosenthal was first to report the teams were in serious talks. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 3, 2021
Interesting that Wong is going for a multi-year deal at this point, bucking the trend of pretty much everyone else in his tier of free agency signing a one-year deal. A multi-year Wong is slightly less attractive to the Cubs (regardless of money) than a one-year deal, given the presence of Nico Hoerner (we like him long-term – we just want him to get some development time).
UPDATE 3: … but it’s only two years, and dang that’s so cheap:
Free-agent second baseman Kolten Wong in agreement with Brewers on two-year, $18M contract with a third-year club option, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 3, 2021
If Brewers exercise Wong’s option, deal will grow to three years, $26M, source says. First with agreement: @JonMorosi.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 3, 2021
Welp. On to discussing the remaining options on the market again.