Milwaukee Brewers Sign Former Boston Red Sox Infielder Christian Arroyo to Minor League Deal
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed infielder Christian Arroyo, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reported Thursday morning.
According to FanSided's Robert Murray, Arroyo is set to sign a one-year minor league deal. If he makes the Brewers' Opening Day roster, the 28-year-old will be due $1.5 million, plus a maximum $500K available in incentives.
Arroyo spent the past four seasons with the Boston Red Sox, holding down a part-time starting job across multiple infield positions, but primarily second base. Boston designated Arroyo for assignment in August, and he wound up electing free agency when the 2023 season came to a close.
The San Francisco Giants took Arroyo in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft, and he made his big league debut with the club in 2017. He was one of four players the Giants traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for third baseman Evan Longoria in December of 2017.
Arroyo spent the next year-and-a-half with the Rays before they dealt him to the Cleveland Indians at the 2019 MLB Trade Deadline.
The Red Sox picked Arroyo up off waivers midway through the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, and he had remained with the club ever since.
Arroyo most notably played a critical role for Boston during the team's playoff run in 2021. In an eight-game stretch of ALDS and ALCS contests, Arroyo recorded nine hits, batting .300 with a three-run home runs and an .800 OPS.
In his 224 regular season games with the Red Sox, Arroyo hit .264 with 18 homers, 93 RBI, a .716 OPS and a 2.2 WAR. For his career, Arroyo is a .252 hitter with a .693 OPS and 2.0 WAR.
One of Arroyo's most valuable traits during his time in Boston was his defensive versatility. He logged time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and right field, although he racked up -5 defensive runs saved in just 17 appearances in the outfield. Everywhere else, Arroyo posted 11 defensive runs saved.
The Brewers will now allow welcome Arroyo to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. FanGraphs currently projects Milwaukee to platoon Brice Turang and Owen Miller at second base to open 2024, and given the fact that neither have much MLB success under their belt, Arroyo stands a chance to earn some innings at that spot.
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