Yasmani Grandal Signs Team-Record Four-Year, $73 Million Deal With White Sox

Yasmani Grandal is now officially a member of the Chicago White Sox.

The 31-year-old free-agent catcher signed a four-year, $73 million deal with the White Sox on Thursday, the biggest contract in the franchise’s history. According to ESPN, Grandal is expected to earn $18.25 million per season through 2023.

White Sox vice president Kent Williams explained in comments to reporters that signing Grandal was part of the team’s long-term strategy and had been planned “going back five years ago.” Williams also called the two-time All-Star a “quality guy.”

Last offseason, Grandal reportedly rejected a four-year offer from the New York Mets that would have paid him $60 million. Now, it’s clear his decision was a sound one.

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Grandal is coming off what is undoubtedly the best season of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cuban-American catcher recorded career-highs in total homers (28), runs scored (79), runs batted in (77) and stolen bases (five) this year. Grandal also walked over 100 times to log a .380 OBP, which ranked first among MLB catchers, and posted his highest OPS (.848) since his rookie year with the San Diego Padres in 2012.

The catcher thanked the Brewers and their fans in an Instagram post on Thursday:

Grandal, who also previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will now join a White Sox roster that includes Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada.