Brewers Sign Jorge Alfaro, as This Year's (Poor Man's) Gary Sánchez Perhaps?

[Matthew Trueblood]

On Tuesday, the Brewers reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal with the veteran journeyman. Few teams take quality catching depth more seriously, and now, the Crew can be a bit more sure of having some.

Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

It struck many as strange that the Brewers signed Eric Haase to a split deal in December 2023—the more so when, two months later, they brought in the more established, much more expensive Gary Sánchez to serve as a higher-echelon backup to William Contreras. The Crew managed to retain Haase even when he missed the final cut for the Opening Day roster last spring, though, and after Jeferson Quero got hurt right away at Triple-A Nashville, Haase stuck around until the middle of the season, when he finally got an opportunity to fill in for the injured Sánchez. From there, the team carried three catchers throughout the second half.

That's how badly the Brewers always want to have enough good catchers around; they'll do some roster gymnastics to facilitate it. Contreras will be the starter again in 2025, but the team is hoping to reduce his catching workload somewhat. Haase can serve as an adequate backup, but since Quero underwent season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, they were sure to further hedge against injuries or his slow reintroduction to the position. Tuesday, they signed Jorge Alfaro to a minor-league deal that gives them just the right amount of insurance—for however long they can keep him around.

Alfaro appeared in MLB in every season from 2016-23, but batted .236/.278/.354 from 2020 onward in the majors. He came to camp as a non-roster invitee with the Cubs last spring, but they released him in late March and he didn't play in affiliated pro ball at all in 2024. Never known as an excellent defender overall, he needs to regain some semblance of offensive utility in order to crack an MLB roster again. In limited Dominican Winter League action this winter, he showed that capacity, so the deal makes sense. The Brewers might well have some pointers for him in terms of catcher defense, and if they can turn him into a valuable defensive option, he would be a fine fallback plan at the position. 

Right now, this deal barely registers as important. If Alfaro pans out, it would still only be in a limited role, and the Brewers will probably hope not to need him—especially if that meant that Quero bounced back and impressed in his return after the injury. Signing depth options with strong big-league bona fides never hurts, though, and the Brewers felt Alfaro was the best of their available options as spring training draws near.

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[Brian]

What are Eric Haase Major weaknesses?  It has to be his game calling or arm because he definitely has speed and seems to have at least mediocre ability at the plate when he does play? 

I think Contreras catching 155 games is a little on the high side, especially in the dog days of summer when it is 90+ degrees out, even though he was fairly consistent all season. Any opinions? 

[igor67]

I'd say even with DHing Contreras shouldn't play in much more than 150 games, That's roughly the 2 off days per month mark. If that number creeps up a bit from just pinch hit days that's OK.

 

[sveumrules]

2 hours ago, Brian said:

What are Eric Haase Major weaknesses?  It has to be his game calling or arm because he definitely has speed and seems to have at least mediocre ability at the plate when he does play? 

I think Contreras catching 155 games is a little on the high side, especially in the dog days of summer when it is 90+ degrees out, even though he was fairly consistent all season. Any opinions? 

There 31 catchers with at least 1,000 PAs since 2021. Over that time Haase's main issues have been walking too infrequently (6.4 BB% | 22nd), and striking out too much (29.7 K% | 30th).

On the defensive side there are 48 catchers with at least 1,500 innings since 2021. Haase comes in at -10 DRS (37th), -13.8 FRM (39th), and -17 FRV (43rd).

So his primary weaknesses are that his batted ball profile is entirely dependent on balls in play (but there aren't many balls in play because he strikes out so much), and he is a poor defensive catcher.

Contreras only caught 120 games last year, and 108 in 2023. I'd imagine he sees a similar number behind the plate again in 2025 with another thirty or forty games at DH.

[Brian]

2 hours ago, sveumrules said:

There 31 catchers with at least 1,000 PAs since 2021. Over that time Haase's main issues have been walking too infrequently (6.4 BB% | 22nd), and striking out too much (29.7 K% | 30th).

On the defensive side there are 48 catchers with at least 1,500 innings since 2021. Haase comes in at -10 DRS (37th), -13.8 FRM (39th), and -17 FRV (43rd).

So his primary weaknesses are that his batted ball profile is entirely dependent on balls in play (but there aren't many balls in play because he strikes out so much), and he is a poor defensive catcher.

Contreras only caught 120 games last year, and 108 in 2023. I'd imagine he sees a similar number behind the plate again in 2025 with another thirty or forty games at DH.

Agreed, Contreras definitely is way better than Haase no argument there.  There was a 2 month span where Contreras looked really burnt out tired during last summers heat.  I kept saying to my family,  "I think he needed a day off."  I believe it was right before the all star break and maybe a little after.  It was in the upper 80's every single day it seemed during his slump. 

[WAN2]

Dare I whisper William lose a few pounds to help keep the  spring in his step?  

[jay87shot]

Alfaro seems like a perfect signing as mentor for Quero in AAA and as protection if we need a catcher to call up earlier in the year. I think Haase fits our needs as a backup catcher perfectly, if he goes 0-4 with 3 k's one game and then 2-4 with a big hit then next game he plays that is fine. He isn't a great defensive catcher but he is good enough to give William a day off when necessary and enough of a veteran to do what is needed. He can also be a decent pinch hitter against lefties when needed.

[Brian]

3 hours ago, WAN2 said:

Dare I whisper William lose a few pounds to help keep the  spring in his step?  

To many Chimichangas, it is the Alejandro Kirk and Josh Naylor effect setting in.