FILE - Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell looks on before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Chicago. Counsell is meeting with the Cleveland Guardians about their managerial opening, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Quinn Harris, File)
Milwaukee Brewers fans have taken notice this Spring—there are three viable catching options, and based on their spring training, all three should be on the Opening Day roster. Those three are Gary Sanchez, William Contreras, and an out-of-options player, Eric Haase.
The Field of Catchers with the Milwaukee Brewers
William Contreras is guaranteed a roster spot, especially given that Pat Murphy and plenty of others view him as one of the best catchers in the game. The real question is, who is going to be the backup?
The Brewers signed Gary Sanchez to a one-year $3 million contract that almost guarantees he’ll be on the Opening Day roster. It’d be a surprising move to cut him after signing him at the end of February, and the $3 million is a guaranteed contract.
Sanchez has never been known as a defense-first catcher, but he’s done enough to make a name for himself. It’s the bat that sets him apart when it’s going right. Sanchez had his first full season in 2016 with the New York Yankees, and for two seasons, it seemed like he’d become one of the best catchers in the game.
He swatted 53 homers, drove in 132 runs, slashed .284/.354/.569, and finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year in 2016, with an All-Star appearance and Silver Slugger in 2017.
From there, the wheels fell off for Sanchez. After a couple of injuries and a trade with the Minnesota Twins, he’s trying to have a career resurgence with the Milwaukee Brewers. So far this Spring, Gary Sanchez has only appeared in 3 games and hasn’t quite got it going yet.
