Earlier this week, I wrote a blog about how David Stearns and Matt Arnold have done nothing this offseason. Similarly, we discussed it on the podcast too. For the first time in a long time, I grew tired of what the Brewers were trying to do. I saw the division there on a silver platter, and the Brewers said, ‘we’re good with our guys.’ But at the end of the blog post, I noted “I would love nothing more than for Stearns to dunk on me like Shaq to Chris Dudley.’ And that’s what he did. Milwaukee Brewers added Kolten Wong to the team which helps them both offensively and defensively plus what this means for Keston Hiura.

Free-agent second baseman Kolten Wong in agreement with Brewers on two-year, $18M contract with a third-year club option, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 3, 2021

Offensively, the Brewers get another solid bat in their order. Wong became a leadoff hitter in the last few years in St. Louis and did it well. He hit .261 with an OBP of .342 from that spot. Given Milwaukee’s offense, it would seem likely that Wong would hit either first or second in the order. He is a left-handed bat, and if Brewers are putting Christian Yelich back in the two spot, it will be interesting to see if Craig Counsell stacks lefties up top. Or if he tries something like Wong-Lorenzo Cain-Christian Yelich instead. Wong gets on-base, doesn’t strike out much, and is the definition of table-setter. What’s not to like?

Defensively, the Brewers are getting a stud. He won the Gold Glove at second base last two years. After struggles at the second base position with Keston Hiura’s defense, they’ve massively upgraded. The combination of Orlando Arcia and Wong will save many runs then you roll Cain into the mix, and the Brewers have a great defense makeup. What made the 2018 team excel was their defense. It didn’t get talked about as much as other things, but their defense was great. With the Brewers’ exciting pitching staff, they’re going to thrive with the defense behind him.

Wong is a second baseman. He has played a little bit of outfield when asked, but not more than 10 games a season. People are wondering what this means for Keston Hiura. It appears the Brewers will try him at first base. Hiura is not very tall which gives you some pause about that position. Although, Eric Thames was not a tall dude either, just bulky. Hiura will have all of Spring Training to work on things. He will likely go into a sort of plateau where he is playing first and second regularly. Brewers would be wise to add another 1B instead of looking at the third base position.

Good job by Stearns and Arnold. Moves are still left to be made but this is a step in the direction of contending for the division and maybe more.

Charlie.