MLB Rumors: Gary Sánchez Agrees to $7M Brewers Contract After Padres Stint

Gary Sánchez has found a new home.

The veteran catcher has agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in free agency following his stint with the San Diego Padres, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Sánchez spent most of the 2023 season with the Padres after the franchise claimed him off waivers from the New York Mets in May.

The 31-year-old struggled mightily with the Mets. In just three games and seven plate appearances, he hit .167 with one RBI.

Sánchez revitalized his season with the Padres, hitting .218/.292/.500 with 19 home runs and 46 RBI in 72 games.

The Friars had been in discussions with Sánchez on a new contract this winter, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported in December. However, they didn't necessarily have a need to retain him after acquiring Kyle Higashioka in the deal that sent Juan Soto to the New York Yankees.

San Diego enters 2024 with Higashioka, Luis Campusano and Brett Sullivan at the catcher position.

The Brewers, meanwhile, head into the 2024 campaign expected to enter a rebuild after trading ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles last week.

Sánchez joins a Brewers catching rotation that is headlined by William Contreras and also includes Eric Haase. He could be catching the likes of Freddy Peralta, Wade Miley, Joe Ross and Colin Rea.

The Dominican native put together some of the best seasons of his career as a member of the Yankees, earning two All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger award. His best season came in 2017 when he slashed .278/.345/.531 with 33 home runs and 90 RBI in 122 games.

In addition to the Yankees, Mets and Padres, Sánchez also spent time with the Minnesota Twins in 2022.