MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jody Gerut and the Milwaukee Brewers have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract.
The outfielder, acquired by the Brewers from San Diego in May for Tony Gwynn Jr., hit .230 with nine homers and 35 RBIs last year, when he made $1,775,000. In April, he christened the New York Mets’ Citi Field with a homer — the only leadoff homer at a new ballpark in major league history.
Eligible for free agency after this season, Gerut can earn a $25,000 bonus if he has 350 plate appearances. His contract is not guaranteed.
Six Brewers remain in arbitration: pitchers David Bush, Todd Coffey and Carlos Villanueva; outfielders Carlos Gomez and Corey Hart; and second baseman Rickie Weeks.