Brewers Sign Gary Sanchez to One-Year Major-League Deal

Whether the Brewers would pursue a backup catcher was a hot topic over the final few weeks of the offseason. As they opened camp to pitchers and catchers Wednesday, the team answered the question more forcefully than they had to that point, signing old friend Gary Sánchez to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. Two years after spending a campaign with the Brewers as a slugging backstop and occasional DH, Sánchez will reprise the role, though for one-fourth of the money he made last time around. Jon Heyman of the New York Post had the news first.

Sánchez, 33, batted .220/.307/.392 and swatted 11 home runs for the Brewers in 2024. Last year, with the Orioles, he played in just 29 big-league games and had only 101 plate appearances, but he hit .237/.297/.418. Though big and sluggardly, he plays acceptable defense at catcher, and his power remains a helpful threat. He's played for five teams in the last four years, but after having a comfortable and useful season as William Contreras's understudy in Pat Murphy's first campaign, Sánchez will get a second stint with the club.

This makes the path to a spot on the Opening Day roster much tougher for both Reese McGuire (who signed a minor-league deal last month) and Jeferson Quero. Presumably, Quero will be the starting backstop for Triple-A Nashville to open the season, and the team will try to convince McGuire to stick around as a depth piece. Alternatively, Quero could be involved in a trade that brings Milwaukee a replacement for just-traded third baseman Caleb Durbin, but for now, that possibility feels remote. If nothing else, Sánchez brings power and a veteran presence to a young team with below-average raw pop.