According to MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman, the Milwaukee Brewers have reunited with catcher Gary Sánchez, signing the free-agent catcher to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.75 million.
Sánchez spent the 2024 season in Milwaukee, posting a .699 on-base plus slugging in 89 games, serving as a designated hitter in addition to the backup catcher. He played only 29 games last year in Baltimore, battling injuries to his wrist and knee.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sánchez (99) doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to New York Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) during the second inning of Game 3 of National League wild-card series on Thursday October 3, 2024 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis.
Sánchez, 33, had a .715 OPS when he was healthy last year, with five home runs in 101 plate appearances. He had 11 homers with Milwaukee in 280 plate appearances in 2024, a decent right-handed power option off the bench. Eleven homers would have tied for seventh on the Brewers last year.
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His arrival in camp means the Brewers now have added two veteran options as potential backup catchers; the club signed 30-year-old Reese McGuire, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, to a minor-league deal in January. Jeferson Quero, the Brewers’ No. 4 prospect according to the Journal Sentinel, looked like the best bet to get the roster spot behind William Contreras by season’s end last year, but Quero also missed all of the 2024 season and was limited to 294 plate appearances in the minors last year between Class AAA Nashville and rookie-league Arizona on rehab.
Quero hasn’t yet made his big-league debut but is nonetheless on the 40-man roster. Adding Sánchez would bring the Brewers’ current 40-man to 39 players.
Sánchez has made two career all-star teams, both with the New York Yankees in 2017 and 2019. He’s also gotten big-league action with the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Orioles in addition to the Brewers.
It’s only the second free-agent signing of a major-leaguer that the Brewers have made this offseason, joining former Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo, who signed for $1.25 million in December. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff also re-signed with Milwaukee, taking the $22 million qualifying offer for a one-year deal.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers reportedly reunite with catcher Gary Sánchez on one-year deal