They began by acquiring outfielder Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins for four minor league players. That outfield would be strengthened with the signing of free agent Lorenzo Cain to a five year deal with $80 million contract.
Yelich's numbers actually went down in 2017, but had a respectable campaign with a .282 batting average with 18 HR and 81 RBI. At 26, the best is yet to come much to chagrin of Marlins fans who have now lost Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and, of course, Giancarlo Stanton.
As for Cain, this signing is a homecoming. Cain was originally drafted by the Brewers in 2004 in the 17th round. After toiling in the minor leagues for five seasons, Cain had a cup of coffee with the Brewers in 2010. Cain was sent to the Royals prior to the 2011 season in the Zack Greinke deal. Cain became a star in Kansas City as an integral part of a team that won back to back AL pennants in 2014 and 2015 and a World Series ring in 2015. In 2017, Cain hit .300 with 15 HR and 49 RBI along with 26 stolen bases.
The Brewers came within a heartbeat of an NL Wild Card berth. The addition of Yelich and Cain to the Brewers' lineup which includes Eric Thames, Travis Shaw, Keon Broxton, Domingo Santana and even Ryan Braun will make them a force in the NL Central in 2018.
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