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The Milwaukee Brewers have signed Kolten Wong, taking the star second baseman off of the free agency market. Wong is signing a two-year contract worth $18 million, which also includes a third-year option per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. If the Brewers decide to pick up the third-year option, Wong will ultimately make $26 million.
The veteran second baseman has spent the last eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Last season, Wong slashed .265/.350/.326 with only one home run and 16 RBI. Despite not being much of an offensive threat, the 30-year-old was rewarded with a Gold Glove for his defensive prowess. It was the second-straight year that Wong won a Gold Glove at second base.
Wong’s best season with the Cardinals happened in 2019, where he slugged .285 (career-high)/.361/.423 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI. During that season, the Hawaii native also received some votes for NL MVP.
Wong came up in the Cardinals system and was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft with the 22nd pick. Three years prior, he was also drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Twins.