The Milwaukee Brewers added depth to their catching crew by signing 11-year veteran Gary Sanchez last week. The one-year, $1.75 million deal will be his second stint with the franchise after he also spent 2024 in Milwaukee.
Clearly, his role is to be a backup, but what does that mean for touted catching prospect Jeferson Quero? Does the Sanchez signing signal that Quero is not quite ready for his debut?
Some speculated that he could make the Opening Day roster as next man up behind starter William Contreras. That could still happen, but now the Brewers have a contingency plan.
Not quite time for Quero?
Sanchez has not graded out reliably as a plus defender over his 11 seasons, accumulating -9 career runs saved according to Baseball Reference. That is not ideal for a backup catcher, but Sanchez does offer above average pop. That has won him starts at DH throughout his career, even as he has receded from his power-hitting peak with the Yankees.
In 2024 as a Brewer, he started 40 games there versus just 27 behind the plate. Manager Pat Murphy has said Sanchez could fill that role again, as well as pinch-hit on occasion.
In ’24, though, Christian Yelich, the current designated hitter, missed the second half with a back injury. Even though he was playing more outfield then, his absence opened up a hole in the lineup, one Sanchez could step in to fill. As long as Yelich stays relatively healthy and doesn’t return to playing a lot more outfield, there won’t be the same opportunity for Sanchez to DH this time around.
Behind the dish Contreras does not miss many games as a rule, limiting starts for his backup. There would be nothing wrong, of course, with simply carrying Sanchez as an insurance policy. Teams generally only have one backup catcher, though, so for whatever opportunities there are, the Brewers may have room for only one of Sanchez or Quero at any given point in the season.
Rostering both would be possible, but, barring injury, Sanchez would be unlikely to see many at-bats limited to a DH and pinch-hitting capacity.
A highly touted prospect in Milwaukee’s system, Quero does not offer great upside with the bat, but his glove skills and arm are recognized as elite. An injury to his throwing shoulder postponed his development back in on minor-league opening day in 2024: he missed all of that season and only returned midway through 2025.
At Triple-A Nashville, he hit .255/.336/.412 in 58 games.
Sanchez hit .223./.304/.399 in 118 games over the last two seasons in Baltimore and Milwaukee.
All things considered, bringing back Sanchez feels like a solid hedge that will allow the Brewers to take Quero’s progression slowly. It would not be a surprise to see him debut at any point this season, but perhaps the most prudent approach is to let him continue building up strength post-injury. Although it’s possible Sanchez becomes expendable, the signing is worth that luxury alone.
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