After taking a year off, Jim Edmonds is back and attempting to continue his tour of duty around the NL Central. Today, he has signed on with Milwaukee on a minor league contract:
Brewers Grab Jim Edmonds On A Minor League Contract
Outfielder Jim Edmonds agreed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
The 39-year-old Edmonds did not play last season but never retired.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the contract comes with the stipulation that Edmonds must be added to the Major League roster by March 25th, or else he is granted release. Edmonds, it would seem, is happy to take a minor league contract, but has no intention of playing minor league baseball.
As a Brewer, Edmonds is expected to fill two roles - provide a left-handed bat off the bench, and serve as Carlos Gomez support. The young Gomez has a phenomenal glove, but he has yet to establish himself as a threat at the plate, meaning Edmonds - should he make the roster - could step in every few days to play center and hit against tough righties. He's no longer capable of hitting lefties very well, but by occasionally stepping in for the right-handed Gomez and offering a little leadership, he could help keep the young starter's confidence from dropping too low.
If Edmonds makes the team, he will likely take some at bats away from current fourth outfielder Jody Gerut, a lefty acquired from San Diego last May.
Read more about this acquisition at Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball.
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