Former Angels’ Luis Rengifo Signs One-Year Deal with Brewers

This article breaks down Luis Rengifo’s surprising move from the Los Angeles Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers. It covers the contract terms, his defensive flexibility, and how he fits into Milwaukee’s plan at third base after a busy offseason.

Deal snapshot and implications

Luis Rengifo heads to Milwaukee on a one-year, $3.5 million contract that includes a $10 million mutual option for 2027, according to sources cited by The Associated Press. The Brewers hadn’t officially announced the deal at the time of writing.

Rengifo, who turns 29 on February 26, spent seven seasons with the Angels and became a regular, appearing in 147 games last year. He posted solid numbers across two levels of production in 2024, but his 2025 stat line looked more uneven, which probably caught the Brewers’ attention given his speed and defensive range as a stopgap at third base.

In the most recent season, Rengifo batted .238 with a .287 on-base percentage. He added nine home runs, 43 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 541 at-bats over 147 games.

He’d previously put up a standout 2024 campaign, hitting .300 with a .347 OBP, six homers, 30 RBIs, and 24 steals in 78 games. The Brewers seem to be betting on his mix of on-base skills and speed to bring something fresh to the lineup—hopefully boosting both run production and defensive options.

• One-year, $3.5 million contract
• $10 million mutual option for 2027
• Age: 29 in late February
• Seven-year big-league veteran, all with the Angels
• 2024 and 2025 production: high averages and speed, modest power

Milwaukee wants a proven infield veteran who can handle multiple spots while the team searches for a long-term third baseman. Rengifo’s ability to shift around the diamond gives the Brewers a flexible option, especially after losing a clear third-base candidate in the Durbin trade.

The signing also shows how Milwaukee views the 3B vacancy—an opening created after a six-player deal that sent Caleb Durbin to the Boston Red Sox, along with Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler. In return, the Brewers picked up lefty pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, plus infielder David Hamilton.

Joey Ortiz now slots in at shortstop. Jett Williams, who arrived in the January Freddy Peralta trade, will get a look in spring training too. Milwaukee’s clearly ready to evaluate a bunch of internal options, with Rengifo leading the early infield competition.

Brewers’ third-base plan and spring training expectations

With third base suddenly wide open, the Brewers expect Rengifo to step in and produce at the position. At the very least, they want him to be a real contender for the job during spring training and the start of the regular season.

The infield depth looks solid, but trading Durbin left a gap at third. Rengifo’s defensive versatility—he’s played 409 games at second, 199 at third, 97 at short, and 51 in the outfield—gives Milwaukee a practical way to stay flexible if the opening-day third baseman isn’t obvious early in camp.

Jett Williams will also get reps at third during spring, adding a bit of intrigue as Milwaukee tests out internal options for the hot corner. The current lineup features Joey Ortiz at short and David Hamilton as a second/shortstop option, which makes Rengifo’s fit at third even more interesting.

If Rengifo grabs the job, Hamilton could shift into more of a middle-infield role while Williams develops at the position during Cactus League play. Milwaukee’s hoping Rengifo’s speed and bat control help the lineup work better while they search for a longer-term solution at third base. It’s a bit of a gamble, but sometimes you’ve just got to see how things shake out in spring.

What Rengifo brings to Milwaukee

Rengifo’s positional range stands out. He’s shown he can adapt to different roles and step up in key moments.

His 2025 season gave us a glimpse of a player who can get on base and make things happen on the bases. The 2024 numbers point to solid contact discipline and speed, which honestly fits the Brewers’ current lineup style.

He’s not a power hitter at the plate. Still, his speed—10 stolen bases last season—and knack for getting on base help spark runs and keep pitchers on edge.

Defensively, Rengifo’s versatility really jumps out. Brewers fans will see him handle shifts across the infield and even fill in the outfield when needed.

At 29, he’s kind of a bridge for Milwaukee as they look at younger infielders during spring training. He might help them figure out a longer-term third-base plan down the road.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Reports: Rengifo heads to Brewers on 1-year deal