Source: Logan passes physical, to join Crew
Left-hander, recovering from left lat injury, will sign 1-year deal
MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers' first bullpen addition of this offseason is a comeback candidate. Boone Logan, the veteran left-hander coming off an injury-shortened season with the Indians, passed a physical exam Friday and will sign a one-year contract with Milwaukee that guarantees $2.5 million and includes a club option for 2019, according to a source.
The Brewers, who must clear a spot on their full 40-man roster for Logan, did not immediately confirm the agreement while the sides were working through final language in the contract.
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According to the source, Logan will get a $1.875 million salary in 2018. The club option calls for a $4.125 million salary in 2019 with a $625,000 buyout. There is also $3.2 million in incentives available in each year of the deal for innings and appearances.
A veteran of 12 Major League seasons, the 33-year-old Logan was limited to 21 innings in 38 games with the Indians in 2017 because of a lat injury behind his left shoulder. But he averaged 56 appearances and just shy of 10 strikeouts per nine innings in the 10 previous seasons, and he has held left-handed hitters to a .234 average in his career.
Logan is the first notable addition to a bullpen anchored by closer Corey Knebel. The club made a two-year offer to setup man Anthony Swarzak, who was solid down the stretch on the way to free agency, but he signed with the Mets for more money. Swarzak's departure followed that of Jared Hughes and Carlos Torres, who combined to pitch 132 1/3 innings last season, but were due raises in arbitration. Hughes later signed a two-year deal with the Reds.
Overall, Logan is the third free-agent addition for the Brewers this offseason. The team signed veteran starters Jhoulys Chacin and Yovani Gallardo just before Christmas, and Gallardo, whose one-year deal is non-guaranteed, could wind up as a bullpen candidate.
With Logan in the fold, the Brewers have the potential to feature two left-handers in the bullpen. Josh Hader graduated from prospect status last season while logging 47 2/3 innings in 35 games with a 2.08 ERA. He and Logan would be complementary; Logan with experience as a lefty specialist, and Hader as a multi-inning threat for manager Craig Counsell.