Milwaukee Brewers pitchers and catchers reported for spring training on Wednesday. The 2024 season is a highly anticipated one in Milwaukee for several reasons. One of these is because it is the first time since 2018 that the team has neither Corbin Burnes nor Brandon Woodruff on the team. At their peak (and when healthy, in the case of Woodruff), they were perennial Cy Young contenders and multiple-time All-Stars.
Now, the starting rotation is led by one-time All-Star Freddy Peralta and journeyman starter Wade Miley. Colin Rea was re-signed and is expected to have a spot in the rotation after going 6-6 with a 4.55 ERA in 26 games (22 starts) for Milwaukee last season. The remaining spots in the starting rotation are a mystery.
The bullpen, of course, is anchored by two-time All-Star and two-time Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award winner Devin Williams, who finished the 2023 season with 36 saves and a 1.53 ERA. Trevor Megill has received considerable buzz heading into Spring Training while relievers Hoby Milner, Abner Uribe, and Joel Payamps are all looking to build off of strong 2023 campaigns.
William Contreras, who won the National League Silver Slugger at the catcher position in 2023, returns for his second season with the Brewers. Eric Haase, who signed with Milwaukee as a free agent back December, is expected to be one of, if not the primary, backup catcher. However, one significant name is missing: Gary Sanchez.
Gary Sanchez Reportedly Signed with the Milwaukee Brewers Over a Week Ago
On February 7, it was reported that the Brewers and Sanchez had agreed to a one-year contract worth $7 million. The two-time All-Star hit .219/.288/.492 with 19 home runs and 47 RBI last season in 75 games split between the San Diego Padres and New York Mets.
Sanchez’s signing was exciting for many fans, who believe that he could be the full-time designated hitter, play some first base if needed, and perhaps become a better defensive catcher with a Brewers coaching staff that turned Contreras, once a defensive liability behind the plate, into one of the best defensive catchers in baseball.
The idea of adding the right-handed slugger’s power bat to a lineup that has been severely short of home run potential over the last few years was also an attractive prospect, even if his OPS has been below .800 in each season since 2019.
There is just one problem: Sanchez’s signing was never officially announced by the Brewers.
Gary Sanchez Has Not Yet Signed with the Milwaukee Brewers
According to Todd Rosiak of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sanchez is not at Maryvale for Spring Training in Arizona yet for the simple reason that he is not officially under contract with the Brewers:
A few snippets from Maryvale: Gary Sanchez is not here, and there is no expectation right now as to when/if a deal might be done. Brewers aren’t commenting, so the guess is negotiations/examinations are ongoing.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) February 14, 2024
As he notes, the two sides may still be negotiating, and a deal may still get done. However, there is no guarantee that it will.
If Milwaukee and Sanchez fail to reach a deal, the Brewers may still look to the free agent market for another potential primary designated hitter. Notable names remaining on the market include Joey Votto, Jean Segura, Matt Chapman, and J.D. Martinez.
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