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Brewers sign Thames to 3-year, $16M deal

Mike Cassese / Reuters

Following a remarkable three-year campaign in Korea, Eric Thames is on his way back to the big leagues after signing a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, the club announced.

The deal, which also includes incentives and contains a club option for 2020, is worth $16 million, according to FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal.

Thames will earn $4 million in 2016, $5 million in '17, $6 million in '18 and has a $1-million buyout attached to the option in '20. He can also earn an additional $500,000 per season based on plate appearances, and can't be sent to the minors without his consent, Rosenthal notes.

"Eric brings to the organization a left-handed power bat that is a good fit for our lineup," Brewers general manager David Stearns said in a statement, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "His ability to play first base along with both corner outfield positions adds versatility to the roster.

"Eric has been extremely impressive over his last three seasons in Korea, and we look forward to his return to the major leagues in 2017."

The 30-year-old hasn't appeared in a big-league game since 2012 with the Seattle Mariners, but hit an incredible .348/.450/.720 with 124 home runs and 379 RBIs over the past three seasons with the NC Dinos of the KBO League, also stealing 64 bases.

Prior to heading to Korea, Thames hit .250/.296/.431 with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs over two seasons in MLB.

He came up in the big leagues as an outfielder, but is expected to play first base for the Brewers. In a corresponding move, the Brewers designated 29-year-old first baseman Chris Carter - who tied for the National League lead in home runs with 41 - for assignment.

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