Grandal happy to be at home in spring
Brewers train near his Arizona home
MILWAUKEE — Asked why he agreed to a one-year deal with Milwaukee rather than multiyear offers from other teams, catcher Yasmani Grandal gave two simple reasons: the chance to win and family.
Grandal lives in Peoria, Ariz., not far from the Brewers’ spring training camp.
“My wife told me: ‘You get to have spring training here and be with your kids a little more,’” Grandal said Tuesday, a day after his $18.25 million deal was announced. “I have a 14-monthold right now who’s running crazy around the house.”
Grandal’s deal includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout due Dec. 31. Grandal has until the third day after the World Series to decide on the option, and the Brewers have until the fifth day.
He spent the past four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the last two NL pennants but lost in the World Series each time.
Brewers general manager David Stearns was content to go into spring training next month with the duo of Manny Pina and Erik Kratz along with prospect Jacob Nottingham. Then came the chance to sign the switchhitting Grandal for a one-season commitment.
“He provides us an offensive force — a powerful force — in the middle of our lineup and he’s one of the best receivers in baseball,” Stearns said. “He handles a pitching staff exceptionally well.”
The 30-year-old Grandal hit .242 with an .815 OPS and 24 home runs last year.
PIRATES: Steve Blass’ 60th season with the team will be his last in the broadcast booth. The 76-year-old former pitcher announced Tuesday that 2019 will be his 34th and final year as a color analyst. Blass will remain with the club as an alumni ambassador.
GIANTS: Matt Daniels will on the staff of new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, who vowed when hired in November to find a wide array of experts to help the club. Daniels is a data-focused staff member to aid in pitching training.
TIGERS: Matt Shepard is taking over as play-by-play announcer of the Detroit Tigers on their Fox Sports Detroit television broadcasts. FSD said Tuesday that Shepard will work alongside analysts Jack Morris and Kirk Gibson. Dan Petry and Craig Monroe will be analysts for pregame and postgame shows.
Morris, Gibson and Petry were part of Detroit’s 1984 World Series champions, and Monroe also played for the Tigers.