MARYVALE, AZ (WSAU) The Milwaukee Brewers have reached a contract agreement with free-agent starting pitcher Kyle Lohse. The Journal Sentinel says it’s a three-year deal, worth 11-million-dollars per season plus another possible million in performance bonuses during the three-years. Lohse was reportedly scheduled to have a pre-signing physical today.
The 34-year-old right-hander is coming off a career year with Saint Louis. He went 16-and-3 for the Cardinals last season, with a two-point-eight-three E-R-A. Before that, Lohse started with the Minnesota Twins.
As a result of the deal, the Brewers must give up the 17th draft pick in this year’s first round, plus pool money that goes with it.
The Brewers have tried to stay away from long-term deals with veteran pitchers – after signings like Jeff Suppan and Randy Wolf did not pan out. But Milwaukee had faced the prospect of starting the season with only two experienced starters from a year ago – Yovani Gallardo and Marco Estrada. Wily Peralta and Mike Fiers had relatively average spring showings, and Chris Narveson is coming off rotator cuff surgery that kept him out for virtually all of last season.
The Journal Sentinel says Lohse has pitched simulated games – but it remains uncertain that he’s fully ready to go with Opening Day just seven days away. The Brewers are playing an exhibition against Oakland this afternoon. The Crew’s regular season begins next Monday at home against Colorado.