The Milwaukee Brewers announced the signing of first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames to a three-year contract on Tuesday.
Thames will receive more than $15 million in guaranteed money and the contract includes a club option for 2020, ESPN reports.
In a related move, the Brewers designated slugging first baseman Chris Carter for assignment and are reportedly trying to trade him.
Carter, whose salary is expected to increase dramatically from the $2.5 million he made last season, was tied for the National League lead with 41 homers last season, but also struck out a franchise-record 206 times while batting .222 and totaling 94 RBIs.
“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.
“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 Thames spent the last three seasons with NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization, hitting 40 homers in each of the last two campaigns.
Thames won the league’s MVP award in 2015 after becoming the first player in KBO history to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases. He also won a KBO Golden Glove Award that season.
In 2016, Thames blasted 40 homers and drove in 118 runs.
The seventh-round draft pick (219th overall) of the Toronto Blue Jays has two seasons of MLB experience under his belt from 2011-2012.
Thames hit .262 with 12 homers and 37 RBIs over 95 games in his rookie season of 2011 with the Blue Jays. He split the next campaign with Toronto and the Seattle Mariners, batting .232 with nine homers and 25 RBIs in 86 games.
He has a lifetime .250 average (158-for-633) with 21 homers and 62 RBIs in 181 career games.