Milwaukee Brewers Reportedly Sign Former Yankees, Padres Catcher Gary Sánchez
The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a deal with free agent catcher Gary Sánchez, The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Wednesday evening.
Sánchez finished 2023 with the San Diego Padres, coming off brief failed stints with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. The 31-year-old made a name for himself with the New York Yankees from 2015 to 2021, before they traded him to the Minnesota Twins in 2022.
Heyman later reported that Sánchez's contract would be a one-year deal worth $7 million, plus a mutual option for 2025. Spotrac had Sánchez's market value pegged at three years and $27.5 million.
Sánchez finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting back in 2016, establishing himself as part of the Yankees' young core. He made the All-Star Game in 2017 and 2019, smashing over 30 home runs in each season and winning a Silver Slugger in 2017.
Despite his production at the plate, though, Sánchez's defense started to dip and his effort was routinely brought into question.
Sánchez was ultimately shipped out of town to help New York acquire third baseman Josh Donaldson. The Twins let Sánchez walk in free agency the following winter, while the Giants and Mets released him after 31 and 20 days, respectively.
San Diego took a flier on Sánchez in May, and the move more than paid off. The catcher racked up 19 home runs, 46 RBI and a 2.5 WAR in just 72 games, all while playing the best defense of his career behind the dish.
From July 3 to Sept. 3, the Padres went 23-17 when Sánchez took the field. A fractured wrist ended his season prematurely, however, and he was unable to help the club during its last-ditch playoff push.
Sánchez is a .225 hitter with a .779 OPS and 14.9 WAR for his career. Per 162 games, Sánchez averages 38 home runs and 98 RBI.
Now, Sánchez is set to join a Brewers team that already boasts All-Star catcher William Contreras in their starting lineup. Like Contreras, Sánchez is a right-handed hitter, so his expected role may not become clear until Spring Training gets underway.
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