Fresh off trading for outfielder Christian Yelich from the Marlins, the Brewers have agreed to a contract with free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain, sources told MLB Network insiders Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman on Thursday night.According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the deal is for five years and worth $80 million, which would be the largest free-agent contract so far this offseason. The club hasn't confirmed the deal, which is pending the completion of a physical.
The deal includes a no-trade clause and "significant award bonuses," per Crasnick.The 31-year-old Cain, selected by Milwaukee in the 17th round of the 2004 Draft, batted .300/.363/.440 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 155 games in 2017 for the Royals.A source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi that the Brewers' most likely outfield arrangement is to use Cain in center field, Yelich in one corner position and Domingo Santana or Ryan Braun in the other. Keon Broxton would be the club's fourth outfielder, while either Santana or Braun is likely to be traded; Santana possesses the higher trade value of the two. Milwaukee has reportedly been listening to offers for Santana, the club's primary right fielder in 2017.If the deal is completed and, as has been reported, worth more than $50 million, the Royals would receive a compensatory 2018 Draft pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A.The Brewers, as a team that receives revenue sharing, would lose its third-highest selection in the 2018 Draft by signing Cain. If Milwaukee signs two players for at least $50 million each, it would also forfeit its fourth-highest remaining pick.Oliver Macklin MLB.com
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