Veteran Catcher Eric Haase Signs Contract With Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed catcher Eric Haase to a one-year deal, the club announced Wednesday afternoon.
Haase appeared in 86 games with the Detroit Tigers and three with the Cleveland Guardians this past season. He hit .201 with a .528 OPS while splitting time between left field and catcher.
The Brewers' backup catcher from this past season, Victor Caratini, joined the Houston Astros in free agency earlier this winter, opening the door for Haase's arrival. All-Star William Contreras is slated to remain Milwaukee's starter behind the dish.
Haase got his first taste of MLB action with the Cleveland in 2018, but he didn't become a full-time big leaguer until 2021. That year, Haase hit .231 with 22 home runs, 61 RBI, a .745 OPS and a 1.9 WAR in 98 games with the Tigers.
Although Haase's power numbers dipped in 2022, he still hit .254 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI, a .748 OPS and a 2.1 WAR in 110 appearances.
Haase, unable to keep up that production in 2023, was designated for assignment in August. After returning to the Guardians via waivers, Haase was designated for assignment again and finished the year Triple-A.
The 31-year-old veteran elected to become a free agent in October, and he has found his next home two months later.
For his career, Haase is a .225 hitter with a .667 OPS and 2.6 WAR. He has thrown out 33 attempted base-stealers, good enough for an above-average caught stealing percentage of 28%.
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