Sep 10, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) at bat during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Photo Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers front office bolstered its outfield Thursday afternoon by acquiring Christian Yelich in a trade with Miami and signing free agent Lorenzo Cain, formerly of Kansas City.
The Brewers sent four prospects, including talented young outfielder Lewis Brinson, to the Marlins in exchange for Yelich, a Gold Glove-caliber defender who has a career batting average of .290 in five Major League seasons.
Last season, Yelich, 26, hit .282 with 36 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs and 81 RBIs in 602 at-bats. He scored 100 runs, walked 80 times and was 16 of 18 in stolen base attempts.
Cain, the 2014 American League Championship Game MVP, reportedly agreed to a five-year deal worth $80 million. The deal will be finalized following a physical exam.
Cain, 31, won a World Series title in 2015 with the Royals. He is a career .290 hitter spanning eight Major League seasons and was an All-Star selection in 2015.
Last season, Cain hit .300 with 27 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 584 at-bats. He scored 86 runs, walked 54 times and was 26 of 28 in stolen base attempts.
“We are always looking to make our team better and our organization better,” Milwaukee general manager David Stearns said. “As the competitiveness of our Major League team increases, we talked openly that we’re going to have supplement that group. We’re going to have to add to that group to push us in the right direction.”
If all goes as planned, Cain’s contract will be the richest in Brewers history. It includes a no-trade clause and award bonuses.
With the additions of Yelich and Cain, the Brewers now have a surplus of outfielders that includes Ryan Braun, Domingo Santana, Keon Broxton and Brett Phillips.
