DETROIT, MI — Eric Haase, a native of Detroit and a former Tigers catcher, has signed a big-league contract with a new team.
The Milwaukee Brewers announced Wednesday that Haase had signed a one-year contract with them. The deal’s terms were not disclosed or reported.
Haase, who turned 31 this week, was a top hitter for the Tigers in 2021 and 2022 before fading dramatically this year.
Haase was claimed by the Cleveland Guardians after being placed on waivers by the Detroit Tigers in August. He was waived again after a brief stint with the Guardians and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus. He exercised his free agency after the season ended.
Haase is a well-respected game manager and an exceptional athlete (not just for a catcher), but his struggles in 2023 appeared to indicate that he might have to settle for a minor-league deal this winter.
Instead, he’ll return to the Midwest to relieve Brewers starter William Contreras.
In November, the Tigers exercised veteran catcher Carson Kelly’s $3.5 million contract option. Kelly, who struggled offensively in 2023, took over for Haase in August.
Haase grew up in Westland, attended Divine Child High School in Dearborn, and now resides in Livonia. He was drafted in the seventh round by Cleveland in 2011 and worked his way through the Indians’ minor league system before making his major league debut in 2018.
He saw limited action with the Indians’ big league club in 2018 and 2019, and was released before the 2020 season due to a roster crunch.
Haase was acquired by the Tigers for cash, and he spent the majority of the COVID-shortened 2020 season at the alternate site in Toledo.
At the age of 28, Haase finally got a chance to play regularly in 2021, and he was instrumental in the Tigers’ turnaround in May. In 381 plate appearances, he hit 22 home runs and caught Spencer Turnbull’s no-hitter.
In 2022, Haase had a team-high.748 OPS (112 OPS+) in 110 games, posting a team-high.748 OPS (112 OPS+). He also expanded his resume by playing solid left field when needed.
Although 2023 was arguably his best defensive season (he caught another no-hitter in July), his offensive output plummeted. When he was designated for assignment, Haase was hitting.201 with four home runs and a.530 OPS (46 OPS+) in 282 plate appearances.
Despite his offensive shortcomings, the Tigers went 29-23 with him behind the plate this season. Pitchers had a 3.75 ERA in 468 innings with Haase at the helm.
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