Brewers sign Gary Sanchez (Deal Official, $3M plus Incentives)

[wildcat2237]

52 minutes ago, umphrey said:

Kind of a weird one but we would have heard if he was back on the market I think so I'd guess one of the theories like they are waiting to make a roster move. Failed physical still possible but those usually get sorted pretty quick I think. Maybe they need to sign Woodruff and IL him?

I would think a failed physical would have leaked by now. Also, if it is a failed physical I would think Sanchez would want to be back out on the market and we would know. 

Certainly one of the weirdest situations I can remember. 

Bascially the deal was made public and then 3 weeks of limbo. 

[StearnsFTW]

It's not even 2 weeks, but yeah, weird one.

[RedStickBrew]

[CheeseheadInQC]

2 hours ago, umphrey said:

Kind of a weird one but we would have heard if he was back on the market I think so I'd guess one of the theories like they are waiting to make a roster move. Failed physical still possible but those usually get sorted pretty quick I think. Maybe they need to sign Woodruff and IL him?

That's something I wasn't clear on. Do they need to temporarily have a 40-man spot for 30 seconds in order to sign Woodruff and then put him on the 60-day or can they sign him directly to it? If they do need a spot, that is the most obvious answer.

[Fear The Chorizo]

14 minutes ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

That's something I wasn't clear on. Do they need to temporarily have a 40-man spot for 30 seconds in order to sign Woodruff and then put him on the 60-day or can they sign him directly to it? If they do need a spot, that is the most obvious answer.

I'm pretty sure if a player is headed directly to the 60 day IL, a team can sign him without playing 40 man roster gymnastics just to complete that transaction - that's why a signing like Woodruff waited until after 2/14, before then it would have required the Brewers or a different team making space on the 40 man to officially sign him.  However, I don't know if the Woodruff signing is "official" yet, either.

The Sanchez ordeal has to be due to 40 man roster limitations - not only for the Brewers but likely for any team that would be trading for a Brewers' player that is currently on a 40 man roster.  Spring Training is an especially tough time to do those type of trades, because most organizations are at or just under 40 guys on that roster to try and maximize flexibility/team control.  It's not until cuts/DFAs start happening towards the end of Spring Training that clubs try to slide AAAA depth pieces into their minor leagues without other organizations pilfering guys they may have more room/need for.  It wouldn't surprise me to see this Sanchez ordeal last another week or two before finally shaking out, or if it shakes out after the Brewers can't make a trade happen and wind up just DFA-ing somebody to make room.

[markedman5]

It’s happening 

 

[Bulldogboy]

Looks like a deal is at hand. Very interesting sign. He definitely can help especially hitting lefties. Brewers are catching wizards so he should be decent behind the plate. Should be able to rotate through Hoskins Sanchez Contreras and Yelich to have a solid professional dh in the lineup. 

[markedman5]

I guess I don’t get the need to keep Hasse on the active roster …….unless they are concerned about Sanchez ability to catch because of the wrist.

i mean aren’t there better uses of a roster spot?

[markedman5]

2 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

I'm pretty sure if a player is headed directly to the 60 day IL, a team can sign him without playing 40 man roster gymnastics just to complete that transaction - that's why a signing like Woodruff waited until after 2/14, before then it would have required the Brewers or a different team making space on the 40 man to officially sign him.  However, I don't know if the Woodruff signing is "official" yet, either.

The Sanchez ordeal has to be due to 40 man roster limitations - not only for the Brewers but likely for any team that would be trading for a Brewers' player that is currently on a 40 man roster.  Spring Training is an especially tough time to do those type of trades, because most organizations are at or just under 40 guys on that roster to try and maximize flexibility/team control.  It's not until cuts/DFAs start happening towards the end of Spring Training that clubs try to slide AAAA depth pieces into their minor leagues without other organizations pilfering guys they may have more room/need for.  It wouldn't surprise me to see this Sanchez ordeal last another week or two before finally shaking out, or if it shakes out after the Brewers can't make a trade happen and wind up just DFA-ing somebody to make room.

Dom says no on your 40 man assumption 

 

[Bulldogboy]

10 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

I guess I don’t get the need to keep Hasse on the active roster …….unless they are concerned about Sanchez ability to catch because of the wrist.

i mean aren’t there better uses of a roster spot?

There is no reason at all. Now if Sanchez can't catch sure but then he ain't worth 7 million bucks.

[SeaBass]

35 minutes ago, Bulldogboy said:

There is no reason at all. Now if Sanchez can't catch sure but then he ain't worth 7 million bucks.

From Rosenthal's article on The Athletic:

"The Brewers had lingering concern over the condition of Sánchez’s right wrist after his physical, and the expectation is he will accept a lower base salary with incentives that would enable him to earn the original $7 million if he stays healthy. His initial deal also included a mutual option for 2025."

No confirmation yet on the status of the option year (obviously) but not far fetched to assume it remains as it was a mutual option.

[markedman5]

47 minutes ago, Bulldogboy said:

There is no reason at all. Now if Sanchez can't catch sure but then he ain't worth 7 million bucks.

It does give them the option to pinch hit for Sanchez when  Contreras is DHing without losing the DH…….that’s only reason I can think of.

[MVP2110]

2 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

It does give them the option to pinch hit for Sanchez when  Contreras is DHing without losing the DH…….that’s only reason I can think of.

Contreras DH'd over 60 times last season. It doesn't seem worth it for what would end up being a one game emergency where they would have to give up the DH. I'd rather keep flexibility with an extra outfielder or infielder. 

[Brewcrew82]

Honestly this makes it likely one of Turang, Wiemer, Mitchell, or Monasterio is going to get left off the OD roster. 

[Sugarrayray]

1 hour ago, markedman5 said:

I guess I don’t get the need to keep Hasse on the active roster …….unless they are concerned about Sanchez ability to catch because of the wrist.

i mean aren’t there better uses of a roster spot?

I’m so glad this weird wait is over, I like this signing. 
 

I agree and I would be willing to bet heavy that there is no way they carry 3 catchers on the roster. If they do, maybe for a few days for whatever reason, but not for any length of time. It’s not like Haase is a good catcher anyways. This simply is a case of the Crew signing Haase earlier in the winter when they felt he was the best option they could get/afford at the time, and then when Sanchez’s price came down right before it was time for pitchers and catchers to report, they pounced.

[MrTPlush]

8 hours ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Honestly this makes it likely one of Turang, Wiemer, Mitchell, or Monasterio is going to get left off the OD roster. 

Good, 3/4 of those guys shouldn't even be in the conversation to be on the OD roster.

[monty57]

45 minutes ago, MrTPlush said:

Good, 3/4 of those guys shouldn't even be in the conversation to be on the OD roster.

Maybe so, but the reason shouldn't be because they're keeping Haase as a third catcher. 

I like the Sanchez signing if he is the backup catcher who plays every day (as C or DH) vs LHP and occasionally gives Contreras a rest vs RHP. 

I don't like the signing nearly as much if Sanchez is signed to strictly be the everyday DH, with Haase being the primary backup catcher. Sanchez is projected to have a slightly below average MLB bat (around 92-98 wRC+ per Fangraphs) and almost all of his WAR value since 2020 has been from his defense as a catcher. 

If we were signing pre-2020 Sanchez, then sure, let him be the everyday DH. If we're getting the guy he's been for the past few seasons, then he should be a backup catcher who primarily hits against lefties.

Meanwhile, Haase is a project who should be in AAA to see if he has any value left.

[SeaBass]

I'm not sure why folks are even worrying about Haase. He's on a $1M contract and he has to show out in spring training to prove he can still hit after an abysmal 2023 season. If he's not great Haase is an easy cut. If he earns a spot he'll have really played his tail off in ST or Sanchez may not quite be ready to catch due to his wrist.

That all said, if he does make the team he can also play in the OF so he's not pigeon-holed into one position. Bottom line the team has options, it will work itself out.

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, SeaBass said:

I'm not sure why folks are even worrying about Haase. He's on a $1M contract and he has to show out in spring training to prove he can still hit after an abysmal 2023 season. If he's not great Haase is an easy cut. If he earns a spot he'll have really played his tail off in ST or Sanchez may not quite be ready to catch due to his wrist.

That all said, if he does make the team he can also play in the OF so he's not pigeon-holed into one position. Bottom line the team has options, it will work itself out.

The Brewers have Austin Nola on a NRI too,

[Jastro]

Per Ken Rosenthal - new deal will be for $3mil base with incentives to get to $7mil

[Jastro]

 

[RobertCrawley]

12 minutes ago, Jastro said:

 

$3 million base salary plus incentives. Much better. He makes his money if he's able to play.

[wallus]

Hard to be upset with this contract. That wrist injury must have been pretty concerning. 

[wallus]

Also, Haase is no big deal. He is a candidate to be moved in Spring Training if a team has a need for a cheap backup.

[Harold Hutchison]

39 minutes ago, wallus said:

Also, Haase is no big deal. He is a candidate to be moved in Spring Training if a team has a need for a cheap backup.

He has options, right?

Could go to AAA.

1B/C will be crowded in Music City - Nola/Quero/Haase behind the plate; Clarke/Warren at first.