Report: Brewers sign KBO MVP Lindblom to 3-year contract

International free-agent pitcher Josh Lindblom has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The contract is reportedly for three years and worth just over $9 million, according to Passan. Lindblom can apparently max out at more than $18 million due to performance bonuses.

Lindblom was named the Korean Baseball Organization's MVP last season. The right-hander won 20 games while posting a 2.50 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP over 194 2/3 innings.

Brewers general manager David Stearns didn't confirm the signing but did acknowledge the importance of international scouting.

"In our pursuit to build our roster, we have to be open-minded to talent from all available places," he said, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We recognize that's not exclusive to the 30 major-league clubs. It's something that we work hard to understand every player that's out there that could be potentially of value to the Milwaukee Brewers."

The 32-year-old hasn't pitched in Major League Baseball since 2017, when he made four relief appearances for the Pittsburgh Pirates before being released.

Lindblom owns a career 4.10 ERA across five major-league seasons while playing for the Pirates, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Brewers have had success with players returning from Korea. Milwaukee signed Eric Thames to a multi-year deal in 2016 after he spent three seasons in the KBO, and he proceeded to post a .848 OPS over three campaigns with the Brewers.