One of our favorite Milwaukee Brewers, outfielder Lorenzo Cain, was recently given Designated For Assignment status.
That means he's being sent to the minors and essentially released. He can accept that move, become a free agent and hope for the best or retire.
Despite the fact that going into Saturday, Cain was only hitting .179 with a single home run and nine Runs Batted In, the Brewers had held onto him. Making the move Saturday was significant for one reason: It let Cain reach the Ten Years of MLB Service, thus giving him a full pension.
Class move by Milwaukee. Age catches up to all of us, and Cain was a favorite of mine when he came up in 2010, hitting .306 and showing potential. Considering he didn't start playing organized ball until he was a sophomore in high school, even making it to the majors, let alone lasting 10 years, is amazing.
He was traded to Kansas City in December 2010, part of the package for pitcher Zack Greinke, among others. I was crushed, but in his seven years in KC, Cain played in the World Series twice and won a ring. He came back to play in Milwaukee the last five years, though he sat out the 2020 Covid-19 season.
A great influence in the clubhouse and exceptional defensive presence, one moment will always stand out. An Opening Day a few seasons ago against the hated St. Louis Cardinals. Milwaukee clinging to a one-run lead in the late innings. Two outs, runner aboard and Cain goes OVER the outfield wall to take away a two-run homer.
The crowd in Miller Park (before AmFam Field) just exploded. What an amazing play, and amazing career.
Thanks, Lo Cain, for your example and play in Milwaukee. To be honest, it won't surprise me in the least if the Brewers find a home in the front office or on a coaching staff for Lorenzo.
