Three Free-Agent Catchers The Brewers Should Target In Free Agency

[Michael Trzinski]

Image courtesy of Matt Freed/AP

William Contreras is back for his fourth year as the ironman behind the plate for the Brewers. His hitting fell off somewhat last season, as evidenced by a decline of all three slash numbers and a drop in home runs from 23 to 17. True, he played through some nagging hand injuries, but who out there thinks he could benefit from getting a few more days off during the long, arduous major league season?

Jeferson Quero is expected to be the front-runner for the role of C2 in 2026, teaming up with fellow Venezuelan countryman Wild Bill in getting most of the playing time behind the plate for the Brewers. But what to do about a third catcher? Over the last three seasons, Victor Caratini, Eric Haase, Gary Sánchez, and Danny Jansen all shared time with Contreras on the backside of the irregular pentagon that is home plate. Ironically, all four of those backstops appear on the free agency list this offseason. Besides Sánchez, who are some other options?

Initially, I liked the idea of Caratini coming back to Milwaukee in a reprise of his solid 2023 season, in which he hit seven home runs in 201 ABs. But his arm (13.7% CS rate) left something to be desired. Add to that his expected ask of a 2-year/$14 million contract, and I think it is a hard no for GM/President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold.

Nearly 20 free agent catchers are left as we enter December, including Caratini, J.T. Realmuto, Jonah Heim, James McCann, and Yohel Pozo. But as a blogger posted, “It is a market so full, yet so bare at the same time.” How true.

Going mostly by affordability, here is this humble scribe’s choice of a trio of catchers, one of which could help ease the grind of Major League Baseball for the Brewers' young catching savant in his freshman year in the bigs.

Gary Sánchez
Sánchez was signed by the Brewers as a free agent before the 2024 season. He did pretty much everything the Brewers asked of him, despite playing only 28 games behind the dish. Sánchez played a few games at first base in addition to DH’ing in 47 games. His batting line showed .220/.307/.392 across 245 at-bats, including 11 HRs, flashing his former 30-home run power. After the season, he signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.

In 2025, with Baltimore, the man known as 'The Sanchize' was forced into everyday action, playing in 17 of the Orioles' 20 games from mid-June until early July due to injuries to All-Star Adley Rutschman, and back-ups Maverick Handley and Chadwick Tromp. He batted .295/.348/.574 across a 61 AB sample during that timeframe, including five home runs. Unfortunately for Sánchez and the Orioles, he became the fourth catcher to visit the IL when he suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on July 5. Sánchez played a handful of rehab games in September but never returned to the bigs. His final line for 2025 included a batting line of .231/.297/.418 across 91 at-bats. He is currently playing for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League and has a triple and a homer among his 8-for-29 start in nine games. 

Sánchez appears to be healthy, would provide a right-handed power bat, and could be a mentor for both Quero and Contreras. A 2-year, $7 million contract could be enough to lure the 33-year-old Sánchez back to Milwaukee, where he would likely end his career.

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Andrew Knizner
Knizner spent his first five big league seasons in St. Louis before playing single free agent campaigns in Texas and San Francisco, respectively. Knizner (pronounced 'Kiz-ner'), who will turn 31 in February, has a career slash line of .211/.281/.316 in 323 games. He offers some pop in his bat, and on defense, his arm is considered fair-to-average, throwing out 22.2% of attempted base stealers against a league average of 23.2%. According to Statcast and FanGraphs, Knizner is middle of the pack with both a Fielding Run Value (FRV) of 0 and a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating of -1.  

Although the right-handed batter may not have many (if any) elite tools to offer, he does have two things going for him. He married former Miami Dolphin cheerleader Ally Rahn last December, and his nickname is 'Kiz.' How could the Brewers not take the opportunity to showcase a battery of 'The Miz' and 'Kiz.' That alone is a t-shirt waiting to happen. 

He played for a one-year/$1.825 million contract for Texas in 2024, so it seems likely he could be inked to a 2-year/$3 million pact with Milwaukee.

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Reese McGuire
The only left-handed hitter among my trio of players listed here, he would have been arb-eligible for the first time in 2026 and was projected to earn $1.9 million before he was non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs. McGuire, known as 'Pieces,' will turn 31 in March and has eight years of major league play under his belt. Last year with the Cubs, he batted .226/.245/.444 with nine homers in 133 ABs. His homers and 24 RBI were both career highs. McGuire posted a slightly below-average OPS+ of 94. 

Defensively, McGuire has a very good arm, throwing out 25.8% of runners attempting to steal last year. As recently as 2022, McGuire led the American League in nabbing base stealers, canceling runners at a 33.3% rate. In 2025, his FRV was four, and his DRS was -1. 

As with Sánchez and Knizner, McGuire offers tons of experience to help Quero along in his first year. Based on his arb numbers, it is likely McGuire would accept a 2-yr/$4 million contract.

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Other Options
While players like Realmuto and Caratini are out of the Brewers' price range, and James McCann, Yohel Pozo, and Tomás Nido have all signed for 2026, there are several other options available. Former Brewers Jansen and Luke Maile are still out there. The bottom line is that Milwaukee could very well be interested in signing a veteran, low-cost receiver to help Contreras and Quero make it through 2026. Will they do it?

What do you think of Sánchez, Knizner, and McGuire? Should the Brewers sign one of them? Is there anyone I am missing? Start the discussion in the comments section below.

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[rafa79]

The question asked, "Is Quero ready to assume the backup role in the big leagues?"  Answer = Yes or easily.

He probably would have been the backup in 2025 if he hadn't missed all of 2024.  He's more than ready and after he does a very nice job in 2026, this column will be discussing what the Brewers can get for Contreras next year at this time since he becomes a free agent after the 2027 season.

[Michael Trzinski]

4 hours ago, rafa79 said:

The question asked, "Is Quero ready to assume the backup role in the big leagues?"  Answer = Yes or easily.

 

I sincerely hope so!

[biedergb]

I like the idea a back up catcher for Contreras and allow Quero some more time in AAA. I think a 1-year (or 1 year with an option year) would work best. Sounds like any of those suggested could work, and I do like Caratini as well, but I am surprised by that asking price, is that real for him as a 31 year old back up only maybe with a little more offense but not great D??
What are the odds of a Danny Jansen reunion?

[Michael Trzinski]

36 minutes ago, biedergb said:

What are the odds of a Danny Jansen reunion?

Anything is possible, especially if Jansen enjoyed his time in Milwaukee. That I do not know.

[MattK]

5 hours ago, biedergb said:

I like the idea a back up catcher for Contreras and allow Quero some more time in AAA. I think a 1-year (or 1 year with an option year) would work best. Sounds like any of those suggested could work, and I do like Caratini as well, but I am surprised by that asking price, is that real for him as a 31 year old back up only maybe with a little more offense but not great D??
What are the odds of a Danny Jansen reunion?

Concur that Jansen back, at least as an option in the beginning of the season, would be a good idea. 

[ClosetBrewerFan]

I dont think the Brewers are going to try to dump salary, but I also dont think they have much room for any free agents. If all things remain as is, I think they will sign a vet on a minor league deal to give Quero competition and insurance in case of injury.  I'd be surprised if they sign anyone to be the opening day backup.