Sources — Brewers, Christian Yelich near $200 million-plus extension

Superstar outfielder Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers are deep into discussions on a contract extension expected to run nine years and be worth well more than $200 million, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Both sides believe a deal will get done, sources said. The Athletic was the first to report that the two sides were close to a long-term extension.

Yelich, the 2018 National League MVP, won his second straight NL batting title last season.

MLB Rank
BA .327 2nd
OPS 1.046 2nd
HR 80 3rd
WAR 14.7 6th
— ESPN Stats & Information

Yelich, 28, finished behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger in the 2019 MVP voting, when he hit .329 with 44 homers, 97 RBIs and an 1.100 OPS in 130 games. His season was cut short after he fouled a pitch off his right kneecap on Sept. 10, breaking it.

The Brewers plan to shift him from right field back to left field this season, creating a spot in right for newly signed Avisail Garcia. Yelich won a Gold Glove in left with the Miami Marlins in 2014.

In 2018, Yelich hit.326 with 36 homers, 110 RBIs and a 1.000 OPS in his MVP season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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