Gary Sanchez - 1 year / 1.75MM deal to return to Milwaukee

[Jopal78]

2 hours ago, Sixtolezcano said:

I’m confused as to Arnold’s most recent moves. He guts the left side of his infield and then signs McGuire and Sanchez as possible backup catchers with a young and promising Quero available. Unless he doesn’t have much faith in Quero’s future (especially defensively) any more. 

McGuire most likely has an out clause which I assume he would exercise before reporting to AAA to split time or back up Quero. 
 

This is what the Brewers do seemingly every winter: have offers out to players who ultimately start to sign as camp opens and opportunities are dwindling (Notice how Quintana signed today as opposed to March 1st last year)

[JohnBriggs12]

For a good portion of 2024, Brewers had 3 catchers active, so McGuire could still be in the picture.  Brewers gave up some slug from the right side in the Durbin deal and Hoskins is gone too.  Sanchez started 40 games at DH in 24 and one at 1B.

[Frisbee Slider]

2 hours ago, Bulldogboy said:

I saw that the Phillies have told Castellnos to stay home. Does he make sense as a bat to add some juice if the Phillies are picking up most of the table? The guy can still hit.

Quietly, Castellanos has only 1.3 bWAR combined over four seasons and nearly 2,500 plate appearances. At that salary, you’d hope for more than replacement level production.

On topic, glad Sanchez is back. Contreras catches nearly every game anyway.

[brewmann04]

Good get imo 

[liveforoctober]

Not for naught, Sanchez still has one of the best looking right handed home run swings in the game IMO. That big leg kick makes it look like every pulled home run is 1,100 ft off the bat. Hopefully we get our fair share of them this year.

[Klantz27]

Good deal glad we weren't stupid like the last time and waste 7 million on him

[Team Canada]

1 hour ago, liveforoctober said:

Not for naught, Sanchez still has one of the best looking right handed home run swings in the game IMO. That big leg kick makes it look like every pulled home run is 1,100 ft off the bat. Hopefully we get our fair share of them this year.

It's worth signing him just to reminisce about Levering's HR call.

[MNBrew]

Not a bad price for a backup catcher with some substance in his track record.  But I still don't like that it's Gary Sanchez.

To the earlier Castellanos reference, reading today's Athletic article on his release, even though (or if) he still has some MLB zing in his game, I'm doubtful that he'd be a fit on this team.  I'd gladly eat my words if he ends up here and does well.  Just doesn't seem too likely, esp. at 3B.

[Lathund]

On 2/12/2026 at 1:49 AM, JohnBriggs12 said:

For a good portion of 2024, Brewers had 3 catchers active, so McGuire could still be in the picture.  Brewers gave up some slug from the right side in the Durbin deal and Hoskins is gone too.  Sanchez started 40 games at DH in 24 and one at 1B.

Brewers had three catchers active towards the end of 2024 specifically so they wouldn't have to DFA Haase. Keeping him around both as backup at the time, but also enabling them to tender him a 2025 contract. Adding McGuire to the active roster now serves no purpose, assuming Sanchez and Contreras are healthy. Contreras will play more than most catchers, Sanchez is a solid backup and will get some DH time. If not adding McGuire makes him opt out, then so be it. 

[Playing Catch]

I had a rapid series of thoughts when I saw this yesterday...

- Yay! I like El Gary.
- Jeez, I'm not sure I like him that much.
- Gosh, what does this mean for McGuire, Quero, and Wood?
- Every team wants about 12 catchers in Spring.
- Wow. Even at 33, this guy could be the primary catcher for 5-10 teams.

 

[CheezWizHed]

On 2/11/2026 at 4:18 PM, wiguy94 said:

It was a pretty massive drop off.

In the 2022 AFL, Quero had a 46% CS when league average was 19%

In the 2023 Southern League, Quero had a 35% CS when league average was 22%

In the 2025 International League, Quero had a 19% CS when the league average was 21% (Nashville as a team had 24% so Quero was significantly worse than the team average)

In the 2025 VeWL, Quero had an 8% CS when the league average was 32%

CS rates are very much about small sample sizes, so the difference between 19% and 21% or even 24% is not "significant". 

Last year Quero was 1 for 9 at AZ and 10 for 43 (23%) at AAA. With 43 attempts every CS accounts for about 2%, so we are talking about 1 or 2 SB differences. 

I think is fair to say that last year... his first year after significant injury and a year long lay-off... he was pretty much league average for CS rates.  

I'm sure the Brewers want to give him at least another half year at AAA to let him build back strength and get back to a high level of play he had previously (offense and defense).  He certainly got better as time went on last year. 

IMO, the worst-case scenario is that he ends up being an above average defensive catcher.  I think the rumors of his defensive demise are pretty premature.  

[endaround]

1 hour ago, CheezWizHed said:

CS rates are very much about small sample sizes, so the difference between 19% and 21% or even 24% is not "significant". 

Last year Quero was 1 for 9 at AZ and 10 for 43 (23%) at AAA. With 43 attempts every CS accounts for about 2%, so we are talking about 1 or 2 SB differences. 

I think is fair to say that last year... his first year after significant injury and a year long lay-off... he was pretty much league average for CS rates.  

I'm sure the Brewers want to give him at least another half year at AAA to let him build back strength and get back to a high level of play he had previously (offense and defense).  He certainly got better as time went on last year. 

IMO, the worst-case scenario is that he ends up being an above average defensive catcher.  I think the rumors of his defensive demise are pretty premature.  

It isn't just the numbers. People who have scouted him say his arm just isn't where it needs to be.  From Fangraphs:

The injuries did take a bite out of the profile here. Pre-injury, Quero’s arm was a weapon, with sub 1.9 pop times and rockets to second the norm. This year, his arm strength, accuracy, and mechanical consistency regressed, all of which combined to nearly halve his caught-stealing rate. The grade above reflects a blend of strength and accuracy — teams often grade those traits separately, but we’re simplifying here — the latter of which is especially concerning. Perhaps Quero will shake off the rust next season, and we’re projecting on the arm a little just to hedge, but his throwing has looked pretty messy in the Venezuelan Winter League this month. There’s a real chance that he just won’t be the same as he was before he tore his labrum.

Quero probably can still be a solid catcher option but more like a typical 85 wRC+ catcher with solid enough defense to do fine.

[long ball]

Brewers seem to have a “type” for their back up catcher behind Contreras. Decent enough defense with above average power. 
 

it’ll work for the 150-200 PA he gets. 

[CheezWizHed]

1 hour ago, endaround said:

It isn't just the numbers. People who have scouted him say his arm just isn't where it needs to be.  From Fangraphs:

The injuries did take a bite out of the profile here. Pre-injury, Quero’s arm was a weapon, with sub 1.9 pop times and rockets to second the norm. This year, his arm strength, accuracy, and mechanical consistency regressed, all of which combined to nearly halve his caught-stealing rate. The grade above reflects a blend of strength and accuracy — teams often grade those traits separately, but we’re simplifying here — the latter of which is especially concerning. Perhaps Quero will shake off the rust next season, and we’re projecting on the arm a little just to hedge, but his throwing has looked pretty messy in the Venezuelan Winter League this month. There’s a real chance that he just won’t be the same as he was before he tore his labrum.

Quero probably can still be a solid catcher option but more like a typical 85 wRC+ catcher with solid enough defense to do fine.

Yeah, I wasn't sure to go find his pop times last year to compare, but regardless my point still remains... in coming back from a major injury and shaking off a year's worth of rust... he looked average defensively.  It was a long way from the excellence he showed before the injury, but it isn't like people are saying he is going to be a terrible catcher now.  

Hope springs eternal in spring training... but I suspect he will regain another step towards what he was this year.  If it is a big step, we will probably see him at the MLB level mid-season. 

[Lathund]

Worth pointing out as well that throwing is just one part of catcher defense. Quero was generally viewed as being good allround. Blocking, framing, game calling. He'll be a good defensive catcher even if the arm never is as good as it was. And first year back is too early to judge, I think it'll be better this year. As for a comment above, I think it's fairly reasonable to expect more than 85 wRC+ too. Hopefully he can have a healthy start to the season, and a couple of months of AAA ball should give us all a better view of what he can do. Worth remembering he has only 250 PA in AAA, and those came after missing a full season, his age 21 season. ~1200 PA total isn't a whole lot either. 

Getting a good backup catcher doesn't really mean anything for Quero. If he really is too good for AAA he'll get a chance through injury or roster expansion. Or forcing a move. Having too many good catchers, when some of them have options, is never a problem. 

[wallus]

Unless there is an injury, I don't plan on seeing Quero at all this year and that is fine with me. 

[titanrick]

Would Arnold consider giving Contreras a long-term extension if Quero doesn't hit or return to his previous defensive level this year?  Or do we think Dinges is the backup plan and Contreras is 100% gone in the next two years?

[brewcrewdue80]

15 minutes ago, titanrick said:

Would Arnold consider giving Contreras a long-term extension if Quero doesn't hit or return to his previous defensive level this year?  Or do we think Dinges is the backup plan and Contreras is 100% gone in the next two years?

Let's give a half season of games before speculating. We could see some answer right in ST.  A thing with Quero's CS could simply be he's 2 seasons removed from the group of minor leaguers he was progressing with. Learning with new pitchers on the spot. What if he was advised to take it easy when throwing?  The 1 thing we dont want to see is reinjury, especially in a winter league.

[liveforoctober]

1 hour ago, titanrick said:

Would Arnold consider giving Contreras a long-term extension if Quero doesn't hit or return to his previous defensive level this year?  Or do we think Dinges is the backup plan and Contreras is 100% gone in the next two years?

Who knows, but it would against the Brewers' MO to sign him to a big extension I think. The pending lockout makes things all kinds of complicated. If we extend Contreras (and assume he resets the catching market) and then we miss a year in his prime (and a possible salary cap is instituted so catching salaries begin the rescind?) .. we will have just handcuffed ourselves pretty hard.

Meanwhile, if we do get locked out - the minor leagues go on as scheduled... so Dinges, et most will continue to get their development work.

It would be very Brewers-like to grab another 'on the cusp' catching prospect during the season for this exact reason. Next year when the 40 man rosters lock - Quero and Contreras won't be able to play. But Dinges and (insert new guy here) can develop and be ready to compete in '28.

[Gump]

Gross. Why would we bring him back…

[Frisbee Slider]

3 hours ago, Gump said:

Gross. Why would we bring him back…

Right handed power bat off the bench and a veteran who probably doesn’t require frequent at bats to stay relatively sharp. The over/under on total AB from Sanchez in Milwaukee this season can’t be very high.

[SeaBass]

On 2/13/2026 at 1:48 PM, titanrick said:

Would Arnold consider giving Contreras a long-term extension if Quero doesn't hit or return to his previous defensive level this year?  Or do we think Dinges is the backup plan and Contreras is 100% gone in the next two years?

I love me some Billy Contreras but organizationally I don't think the catcher position is the one where the team should choose to extend themselves payroll wise. It's come up before with guys like Lucroy and Grandal and they've generally been proven correct to let those players go as they've aged into their 30's. It's just such a physically brutal position.

[titanrick]

On 2/16/2026 at 7:19 AM, SeaBass said:

I love me some Billy Contreras but organizationally I don't think the catcher position is the one where the team should choose to extend themselves payroll wise. It's come up before with guys like Lucroy and Grandal and they've generally been proven correct to let those players go as they've aged into their 30's. It's just such a physically brutal position.

I agree with your point.  I worry about how big of a role Contreras plays in the success of our pitching staff.  I think that sometimes goes under the radar.

Of course, I was worried when Derek Johnson left for the Reds, and he was definitely not the "secret sauce".

[RobDeer 45]

On 2/16/2026 at 8:19 AM, SeaBass said:

I love me some Billy Contreras but organizationally I don't think the catcher position is the one where the team should choose to extend themselves payroll wise. It's come up before with guys like Lucroy and Grandal and they've generally been proven correct to let those players go as they've aged into their 30's. It's just such a physically brutal position.

 Exactly my thoughts.  I'd love to have him stay but it feels like a huge risk to extend a catcher.  I'll be quite sad when he leaves the club.

[TURBO]

1 hour ago, RobDeer 45 said:

 Exactly my thoughts.  I'd love to have him stay but it feels like a huge risk to extend a catcher.  I'll be quite sad when he leaves the club.

Would depend on a lot of factors, but  once Yelich is gone (huge sigh of relief) Contreras could always be our normally scheduled DH, provided he was still hitting.

I'm not saying we should or should not extend him, I'm just saying that we wouldn't always have to rely on him being our catcher, at some point, they all decline physically and defensively.

The guy has earned an extension, but I don't see us doing that, it doesn't fit our typical MO. 

Oh hell, I guess I am taking a side after all.  I don't think it would be a good idea to extend him unless he really does take a team discount, and I think we all know how that will play out.