Cuban-born catcher Grandal signs with baseball Brewers
Yasmani Grandal, who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers reach the last two World Series, was introduced Tuesday as the new catcher for a Dodgers' playoff victim, the Milwaukee Brewers. The 30-year-old Cuban-born American signed a one-year deal worth $16 million late Monday with the Brewers, who lost to the Dodgers in last year's best-of-seven National League Championship Series. Being near his family during pre-season workouts was a factor in the choice, Grandal said. The Brewers spring training facility is in Phoenix while the Dodgers are based in Glendale, in the suburbs. "It came down to what was best for my family," said Grandal. "My wife said she'd rather have spring training (in Phoenix) and be with the kids a little bit more. I have a 14-month-old who's running crazy around the house, and if this gives me two extra months to watch him run around, that's one of the most important parts for me." After playing on Dodgers teams that lost the 2017 Major League Baseball title to Houston and the 2018 crown to Boston, Grandal won't mind being on another contending squad that missed its first World Series appearance since 1982 by a single win. "The fact that they did that shows they're ready to win now," Grandal said. "For me, it was just a matter of getting on another contending team and hopefully helping them reach their goals. "I'm excited to get started. In my opinion, this is one of the most complete teams in baseball." Grandal batted .241 with 24 home runs and 68 runs batted in over 140 games for the Dodgers last season. "Yasmani has distinguished himself as one of the premier catchers in baseball," Brewers general manager David Stearns said. "He provides us a powerful force in the middle of our lineup, he's one of the best receivers in baseball and he handles a pitching staff exceptionally well."
