There are plenty of catchers on the Milwaukee Brewers roster right now. Jeferson Quero, Eric Haase, Gary Sanchez, and William Contreras are among the 40 players on the squad. Austin Nola signed a minor league contract this off-season and was invited to the big league camp.
1 Milwaukee Brewers catcher can opt out of their contract prior to opening day.
Austin Nola, one of the Brewers’ catchers, can choose to end his contract as early as March 24. Although he signed a minor league contract, it appears likely that he will opt out because there are guys ahead of him in the depth chart who will prevent him from making it to the major leagues. He has no clear route back to the major leagues as things stand on the roster, however injuries and other decisions made by the team could have an impact.
Why does Austin Nola have an opt out in his contract?
A season ago, the collective bargaining agreement was altered, and certain free agent signees were given the option to opt out. Three opt-out dates are built into contracts for players who signed minor league deals, have at least six years of service time, were on a major league roster or injured list at the end of the previous season, and signed more than ten days before Opening Day. These are May 1 and June 1, five days before to Opening Day.
Another former San Diego Padre caused quite the stir in Brewers camp last year with his opt out date.
Luke Voit signed a minor league contract with the Brewers during the previous spring training season. In the same way, he had five days before opening day to opt out. Due to his impressive play in Arizona, Milwaukee was compelled to sign him to a 40-man roster, preventing him from choosing to join with another team.
