MILWAUKEE — Veteran catcher Erik Kratz and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration and includes a $300,000 guarantee.
Kratz hit .236 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 219 plate appearances last season. He also excelled in Milwaukee’s Division Series win over the Colorado Rockies, going 5 for 8 in two games.
The 38-year-old earned a prorated share of his $1 million salary this year and $100,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
His deal was announced Tuesday, three days before the deadline for teams to offer 2019 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.
Kratz would have a $346,774 salary while in the minor leagues. He has additional bonuses for finishing among the top three in MVP voting, making the All-Star team, and winning a World Series or League Championship Series MVP, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger or the Hank Aaron Award.