The Milwaukee Brewers are bolstering their depth behind the plate, bringing back veteran catcher Gary Sánchez on a one-year, $1.75 million deal. It’s a familiar face for the club-Sánchez spent the 2024 season in Milwaukee-and the move gives the Brewers a proven option behind William Contreras as they head into the 2026 campaign.
But what does this mean for Jeferson Quero, the highly regarded catching prospect who’s been knocking on the door?
Let’s break it down.
Sánchez: A Veteran Safety Net
At this stage in his career, Sánchez isn’t coming in to compete for a starting job. This move is all about insurance.
The 31-year-old brings a decade-plus of big-league experience, a reputation for power at the plate, and a track record that includes time as both a catcher and designated hitter. While his days of launching 30 homers a season might be behind him, Sánchez still has enough pop to be a threat in the lineup-especially in a pinch.
Defensively, though, he’s not exactly a glove-first option. According to Baseball Reference, Sánchez has been worth -9 defensive runs saved over his career.
That’s not ideal, especially for a backup whose primary job is to handle pitchers and control the running game. But the Brewers know what they’re getting here: a bat-first catcher with enough experience to hold things down if needed.
In 2024, Sánchez started more games at DH (40) than he did behind the plate (27) for Milwaukee-a reflection of both his offensive value and the team’s needs at the time. Christian Yelich missed the second half of that season with a back injury, opening up DH at-bats. That likely won’t be the case this year, assuming Yelich stays healthy and remains mostly out of the outfield.
And with Contreras known for his durability, there may not be many starts up for grabs behind the dish.
What About Quero?
That brings us back to Quero. The 21-year-old is one of the most exciting defensive catching prospects in the game, with a cannon for an arm and advanced receiving skills that have drawn rave reviews inside the organization. But his development hit a speed bump last year.
After suffering a shoulder injury on minor-league Opening Day in 2024, Quero missed the entire season and didn’t return to game action until midway through 2025. Once healthy, he posted a solid .255/.336/.412 slash line over 58 games at Triple-A Nashville. Not eye-popping numbers, but respectable-especially after a long layoff.
Still, it’s clear the Brewers are playing the long game here. By bringing back Sánchez, they’re giving themselves a cushion.
Quero doesn’t need to be rushed. He can continue to build strength and refine his approach at the plate without the pressure of being thrown into the fire on Opening Day.
That doesn’t mean he won’t debut this season. If Quero shows he’s ready-or if injuries force the Brewers’ hand-he could absolutely get the call. But this move gives Milwaukee the flexibility to wait until the timing is right.
A Calculated Depth Move
At the end of the day, the Sánchez signing is a classic depth play. It’s not a flashy move, but it’s a smart one.
The Brewers are hedging their bets with a veteran who knows the league, knows the clubhouse, and can step in when needed. And they’re giving Quero the space to develop on his own timeline.
That’s the kind of roster management that can pay off in a long season. Whether Quero forces the issue or Sánchez ends up logging meaningful innings, the Brewers have options-and in February, that’s exactly what you want.