Ex-Yankee Catcher Gary Sanchez Chooses New NL Home for 20024

 31-year-old former two-time All-Star backstop Gary Sanchez recovered a bit of value in the second half last season after signing on with the San Diego Padres, and that has now allowed him to secure a new free agent deal for 2024, signing on with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Gary Sánchez is reportedly signing with the Milwaukee Brewers, per @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/3QOvYkpWWj

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 7, 2024

MLB Insider Jon Heyman has reported the news, as Sanchez will stay in the National League after spending the first seven years of his career with the New York Yankees, and then another with the Minnesota Twins. 

Last year, after several seasons of diminishing returns and rising strikeouts, Sanchez eventually landed with the New York Mets—but just for three games. He would then find his was to the West Coast, where he had a bit of a resurgence in San Diego, recording a positive OPS+ and a slugging percentage above .500 each for the first time since 2019. Although he batted just .219 with the Friars, he did bang 19 homers in just 72 games, with a .792 OPS and a 116 OPS+. 

The Brewers had William Contreras slated as their starting catcher, but now can supplement him with Sanchez. 

The former Yankee burst onto the scene in 2016 with 20 home runs in 53 games, then made his first All-Star appearance in 2017 when he blasted 33 homers with 90 RBIs and batted .278. He's never been able to sustain an average within 50 points of that since then, and his troubles at the plate continued to build over the previous few seasons before turning it around with the Padres last year. 

It's certainly a low-risk proposition for the Brewers, and he could provide them with plenty of needed pop.  

IPhoto: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports