Milwaukee Brewers sign left-handed Tom Gorzelanny – MLB News
Thursday remained abuzz with the rumours that the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to terms with left-hander Tom Gorzelanny on a two-year contract – pending physical. Although the club did immediately comment on it, multiple sources are also confirming the report.
The agreement was earlier reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. But as MLB.com’s sources reported, a news that was carried by the site as well, Gorzelanny will make around $6 million for the two years contract.
Previously, he was part of the Washington Nationals and earned $2 million for the year. But even though reports made round, the Brewers were unwilling/reluctant to comment on it. The Brewers have reasons for that.
It was not long ago when the Chicago Cubs were reported to have made an offer of $77 million, for four years, to the pitcher Anibal Sanchez. As he had become free agent, the Cubs seemed all close to get the deal done.
But Detroit Tigers jumped back into the fray and signed the pitcher in $80 million.
That was a reason that the general manager Doug Melvin also alluded to once asked to comment on Tom Gorzelanny.
"I don't like to comment on guys, but that's the world we live in -- people pick up on stuff," Melvin said. "It's like Anibal Sanchez. The news breaks that he signed [with the Cubs], then Detroit jumps in because they hear the Cubs are on him. That's happened to two or three clubs this offseason."
Also, importantly, the reason why the Brewers have gone for this deal is because the club was in search for a left-handed reliever. The 30-year old reliever will essentially fill the void which was created after Manny Parra remained non-tendered this past month.
Tom Gorzelanny has performed well over the years, keeping the left-handed hitters to .237 average and right-hander to .245.
After a season wherein the Brewers bullpen did not live up to the expectations, the Brewers were to reorient it. The moves made recently point to that, and they hope the move will pay them accordingly as the competition is expected to be fierce this time.
Tags: