Brewers sign Sogard to one-year contract

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Milwaukee Brewers have signed infielder Eric Sogard to a one-year contract. The announcement was made by General Manager David Stearns.

“Eric brings to the team a veteran presence who possesses the ability to play multiple positions and reach base at a high rate,” said Stearns.“We are pleased to welcome Eric and his family back to Milwaukee for the 2018 season.”

According to the AP, the contract is worth $2.4 million.

Sogard, who had been eligible to become a free agent after the World Series, can earn $650,000 in performance bonuses based on games played: $150,000 each for 30, 50, 70 and 90, and $50,000 for 120.

31-year-old Sogard batted .273 with 3 HR and 18 RBI in 94 games during his first season with Milwaukee after missing all of 2016 with a left knee injury. He made 60 starts at four positions (37g at 2B, 20g at SS, 2g at 3B, 1g in LF). He posted a .393 on-base percentage, which would have led the team if he had enough plate appearances, as he walked 45 times compared to just 37 strikeouts.

Sogard, who was eligible to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2017 postseason, was originally signed last December 15 as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. He owns a career batting average of .245 with 11 HR and 123 RBI during seven Major League seasons with Oakland (2010-15) and Milwaukee (2017).