Brewers Trade Anderson to Toronto; Yelich, Counsell Named Award Finalists

The Milwaukee Brewers traded right-hander Chase Anderson to the Toronto Blue Jays Monday. The move comes ahead of the deadline to decide on picking up the 31-year-old pitcher’s eight-point-five million dollar contract option. In return the Brewers received minor league first baseman Chad Spanberger. In four years in Milwaukee, Anderson compiled a 37-27 record with a 3.83 E-R-A in nearly 600 innings.

The Brewers also exercised their 2020 option on catcher Manny Pina, and declined the club option on first baseman Eric Thames. Thames will now become a free agent. 

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Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is a finalist for the National League MVP Award for the second straight year. Yelich is joined by Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Anthony Rendon of the World Series Champion Nationals as finalists for the award. Yelich won last year’s MVP with 29 of 30 first place votes – and is looking to become the first back-to-back league MVP since Miguel Cabrera of Detroit won the American League honor in 2012 and 2013. Albert Pujols was the most recent back-to-back MVP winner in the National League – that happened in 2008 and 2009. 

Brewers’ Manager Craig Counsell is a finalist for the National League Manager of the Year award for the second straight year. Counsell finished as runner-up a year ago. Finalists also include Brian Snitker of Atlanta – last year’s winner – and Mike Shildt of St. Louis. 

The award winners will be announced next week – Manager of the Year on November 12th and the MVP award on November 14th.