Eric Thames

Brewers pick up Pina's 2020 option, Thames a free agent

Published Nov. 4, 2019 4:06 p.m. ET

Catcher Manny Pina is sticking around, while first baseman Eric Thames is officially a free agent.

The Milwaukee Brewers have picked up the 2020 option on Pina's contract, the team announced Monday, and declined their 2020 option on Thames' contract.

Pina started 38 games at catcher last season after the Brewers signed All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal, appearing in 76 games, and hit .228/.313/.411 with seven home runs in 158 at-bats.

Thames, who turns 33 on Sunday, hit .247/.346/.505 with 25 home runs in 396 at-bats, and will receive a $1 million buyout.

Signed to a $16 million, three-year contract after establishing himself in the South Korean League, Thames hit 59 homers in three seasons with Milwaukee.

While Thames does not have six years of major league service, his contract included a provision stating he would become a free agent when the deal ended.

"We'll continue to be in touch with Eric and his agent and we'll see if there's a fit at some point later in the offseason but at this point, at the dollar value associated with his club option and with the market we see developing at that position, we thought it was in the best interest to decline the option," Brewers general manager David Stearns said.

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Eric Thames

Manny Piña

Milwaukee Brewers