MLB Offseason Roundup: Brewers Signing Pirates’ Target Gary Sánchez

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had interest in bringing in catcher Gary Sánchez, but he’s instead headed to a division rival.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Sánchez has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s a one-year, $7 million contract plus a 2025 mutual option for the 31-year-old.

A long-time New York Yankee, Sánchez revitalized his career on both sides of the ball last season with the San Diego Padres. At the plate, Sánchez slugged 19 home runs and drove in 46 RBIs in 72 games before a season-ending wrist fracture.

Defensively, the veteran backstop took a huge step forward. He recorded a career-high seven defensive runs saved to pair with an excellent average pop time (1.90 seconds) and above-average pitch framing.

Sánchez will seemingly serve as the Brewers’ backup catcher behind William Contreras, who was an All-Star in 2022 and had a solid first season in Milwaukee. The Brewers have brought in plenty of catching depth this offseason, including Eric Hasse and Austin Nola in addition to Sánchez.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

• Slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won his arbitration case over the Toronto Blue Jays, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. He will be paid $19.9 million in 2024 instead of the Blue Jays’ filing of $18.05 million.

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