The Brewers and catcher Gary Sanchez agreed to phrases on a one-year, $7M contract in early February — however the staff has but to formally announce the signing. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic now stories that the Brewers had some some considerations relating to Sanchez’s wrist, which he fractured in early September final season after being hit by a pitch, and that’ll seemingly result in some new monetary phrases. Sanchez will seemingly nonetheless have the ability to earn as much as that very same $7M determine, per the report, however a few of will probably be contingent upon his wrist holding up. That suggests {that a} decrease base wage, and incentives appear prone to be baked into the new-look contract association.
Whereas the monetary phrases of the deal appear prone to change, it doesn’t seem the priority was sturdy sufficient to torpedo the deal fully. And, on condition that Sanchez was by no means anticipated to be the first catcher on a roster that includes All-Star William Contreras anyhow, his function may not change a lot both. The veteran slugger will presumably function as the first backup to Contreras and likewise combine in at designated hitter a good bit.
The Brewers may carry three catchers this season; they inked Eric Haase to a giant league deal earlier within the winter. It’s a cut up contract, however he’s out of minor league choices, so the minor league wage would solely come into play if he first clears waivers. Rosenthal notes that the Brewers “plan to maintain” Haase, however it’s at the very least attainable they may merely be assured he’ll clear waivers and stick round as upper-level depth.
Specifically, Sanchez will seemingly be within the lineup towards left-handed pitchers as typically as attainable. The 31-year-old hit .267/.304/.680 towards southpaws in 2023 and has typically posted higher energy numbers and the next stroll fee when holding the platoon benefit. Sanchez is only a .215 hitter towards lefties in his profession, however he’s reached base at a .314 clip and slugged .484 towards them. Sanchez slotting in as a chosen hitter towards lefties could possibly be used as a way of getting a breather for any of Milwaukee’s many lefty-swinging outfield/DH/first base choices: Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick or Jake Bauers.
The precise phrases of the newly framed deal aren’t but out there, however the Brewers had been projected for a $122M payroll with Sanchez penciled in for his full $7M assure, per Roster Useful resource. That was already about $10M shy of their franchise-record mark, and shaving a few of Sanchez’s assure off the books creates much more wiggle room. After all, it’s nonetheless not identified how a lot Brandon Woodruff will command on his new two-year deal to return to the Brew Crew, however it’ll presumably be fairly back-loaded on condition that he’s anticipated to overlook the vast majority of the 2024 season following shoulder surgical procedure.
Nonetheless that pair of ensures shakes out, the Brewers will seemingly nonetheless have far between their 2024 payroll determine and the earlier franchise-high, established simply two years in the past in 2022. That would depart a little bit of area for additional additions to spherical out the roster, and for a staff that already moved ace Corbin Burnes and noticed its GM proclaim that he’s “open to extra conversations,” the likelihood stays that additional modifications to each the payroll and roster outlook may but come collectively.
