In a surprising offseason twist, the Milwaukee Brewers have revamped their lineup at third base. Fans had been expecting Caleb Durbin to reprise his role as the starting third baseman after a standout rookie season that saw him in the running for the National League's Rookie of the Year. Durbin, a key figure in last offseason's trade with the Yankees, seemed set to anchor the hot corner for another year.
However, just as Spring Training was set to begin, the Brewers made waves by trading Durbin to the Boston Red Sox. In return, they acquired two promising left-handed pitchers, Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan. To fill the gap at third base, Milwaukee signed veteran Luis Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, marking only their third major league free agent signing this offseason.
Rengifo, a 29-year-old switch-hitter with a versatile defensive skill set, joins the Brewers after spending his career with the Los Angeles Angels. While his ability to play multiple infield positions is a boon, his defensive prowess at third base has raised some eyebrows.
Despite being a two-time Gold Glove finalist, Rengifo's metrics at third have been less than stellar. Yet, there's optimism that his defense can improve significantly with the Brewers.
The key to this potential improvement lies in the Brewers' coaching staff and infield dynamics. Matt Erickson, the team's infield coach and new third base coach, is renowned for his ability to enhance defensive skills.
Erickson's influence was evident last year when Durbin credited him for his defensive strides at third base. With Erickson's guidance, Rengifo has a solid chance to elevate his game.
Moreover, the infield synergy in Milwaukee could play a crucial role. Rengifo will be playing alongside shortstop Joey Ortiz, whose range-based metrics complement Rengifo's style. This partnership might reduce the defensive burden on Rengifo, allowing him to focus on his strengths and potentially boost his defensive stats to league-average or better.
Overall, Rengifo's transition to the Brewers could be a win-win. With the right coaching and a supportive infield, his defensive capabilities at third base could flourish, making him a valuable asset for Milwaukee in the upcoming season.