Nick Mears is sure to return to the Milwaukee Brewers this season along with four others after agreeing to a new deal.
The Brewers continue attempt to fortify their squad ahead of the incoming 2025 season by signing the right-handed pitcher to a one year deal worth $963,000.
Mears, 28, is a mid-season signing from the Colorado Rockies.
He joined the league in 2020 as an undrafted free agent in 2018 through the Pittsburgh Pirates. He then played for the Rockies for three seasons before he was traded to the Brewers in July last year for Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera.
As a Brewer, he appeared in 11 games from the bullpen although he had to deal with nagging injuries, one that placed him in the 15-day injured list in August.
He returned and played one game for the team in the playoffs against the New York Mets.
The other four players who agreed to a deal before arbitration are pitchers Nestor Cortes, Trevor Megill, Aaron Civale, and Joel Payamps.
Brewers had success with Nick Mears but not with William Contreras
Nears’ contract was easy to negotiate since he has the lowest salary projection among other players.
However, one major Brewer decided he will have to take longer in agreeing to a new contract.
Contreras, who made the All-Star last season and listed as among the Top 10 catchers in the new season, will take the Brewers to a hearing to negotiate a new deal.
This is Contreras’ first of three potential years of arbitration eligibility.
The player’s camp sought a $6.5 million payout, which is $900,000 higher than what the Brewers proposed.
The league said new arbitration trials will be made by next month if no agreement is reached between parties.
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