Brewers sign Matt Garza/updated roster and payroll

Today the Brewers signed Matt Garza to a four year contract for $50 million with $4 million in performance bonuses.  There is also a vesting option for a fifth year worth $13 million.  He will reportedly receive $12.5 million in each year of the 4 year contract.  The signing likely pushes Tyler Thornburg to the bullpen which is probably for the best.  I was interested to see how he'd fare given a full season in the rotation, but his skill set should play up in the pen.  With the added depth in both the rotation and bullpen it's possible the Brewers are finished adding to their roster.  I think it's likely they will still add one reliever though.  Perhaps they'll now be more willing to consider a high risk/high reward guy like Joel Hanrahan or Ryan Madson.

C: Jonathan Lucroy ($2 MM)	BN: Martin Maldonado ($500 k)*
1B: Mark Reynolds ($2.5 MM)	BN: Juan Francisco ($1.35 MM)****
2B: Scooter Gennett ($500 k)*	BN: Rickie Weeks ($11 MM)
3B: Aramis Ramirez ($10 MM)	BN: Jeff Bianchi ($500 k)*
SS: Jean Segura ($500 k)*
LF: Khris Davis ($500 k)*
CF: Carlos Gomez ($7 MM)	OF: Logan Schafer ($500 k)*
RF: Ryan Braun ($12.5 MM)

SP: Kyle Lohse ($11 MM)	RP: Jim Henderson ($500 k)*
SP: Yovani Gallardo ($11.5 MM)****	RP: Brandon Kintzler ($500 k)*
SP: Matt Garza ($13.5 MM)*****	RP: Tom Gorzelanny ($2.8 MM)
SP: Wily Peralta ($500 K)*	RP: Tyler Thornburg ($500 k)*
SP: Marco Estrada ($3.425 MM)***	RP: Will Smith ($500 k)*
	RP: Rob Wooten ($500k)* RP: Donovan Hand (500 k)*

Unless otherwise noted, all figures come from Cots Contracts.

*League minimum is $500,000. Actual salaries could be marginally higher.
** Reynolds' contract is for a $2 million guaranteed base with another $500,000 possible with incentives.
***Estrada's base salary is reportedly $3.325 and includes $100,000 in incentives.
****Francisco's contracts reportedly contains performance bonuses that are as yet unkown.
*****The incentive details are unknown at this time but he can make up to $1 million over his guaranteed $12.5

The Brewers gave Lyle Overbay a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training so it's possible he beats Francisco out for a platoon/bench spot.  Unless they trade Weeks, and even if that happens, I have a hard time seeing them rostering all 3 of Reynolds, Francisco, and Overbay.  That'll be something to watch.  Wooten and Hand will also have competition for their spots in the bullpen, but I think this is pretty close to what the opening day roster will actually look like.  I actually quite like this roster for the most part.  It's not good enough to take the division, but I think one of the Wild Card spots is a distinct possibility.  With zero roster spots open, as I have it, the total opening day payroll comes to approximately $95.075.  Keep in mind that is if all players' incentives vest.