Milwaukee Brewers' Lefty Opts For Free Agency Instead of Triple-A Assignment
After being outrighted to Triple-A earlier this week, now-former Milwaukee Brewers' left-hander Eric Lauer has elected free agency.
Todd Rosiak, Brewers' reporter, had the information on social media:
Eric Lauer, outrighted by the Brewers last week, has elected free agency.
This is not a surprising development, as we highlighted the possibility of this happening last week.
The 28-year-old Ohio native appeared in 10 games for the Brewers this past year, making nine starts.
He slumped to a 4-6 record and a 6.56 ERA over 46.2 innings. He's pitched in parts of six major league seasons with the Brewers and Padres, having been a valued rotation member most years of his career. He's made 20 starts or more in each full season except 2023 (he made two starts in the COVID 2020 season).
He made 29 starts for the Brewers in 22 and has tossed more than 140 innings twice in his career.
Given his track record of success and durability, Lauer should have no problem finding another opportunity. He owns a lifetime 4.30 ERA over 120 games. What remains to be seen is if he'll find another major league starting opportunity or if he'll need to sign a minor league deal somewhere heading into spring training.
As for the Brewers, they enter an offseason full of uncertainty. With Brandon Woodruff out for the season because of shoulder surgery, and Corbin Burnes entering his walk year, they have ample questions in the rotation.
They also don't know who will be the manager in 2024 as Craig Counsell's contract expires at the end of the month.
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