Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez leaves door open to Yankees return
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The gist
Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez, 33, says he has not ruled out a Yankees return in free agency.
He plays the World Series first, chasing his first title against the Rays.
Background
Gary Sanchez is a 33-year-old Santo Domingo-born catcher and designated hitter for the Milwaukee Brewers, the 2026 National League champions, who are in the World Series against the Rays. He spent his first seven big-league seasons with the New York Yankees (2016-21), where he made two All-Star teams and became the fastest catcher in MLB history to reach 100 home runs, before a 2022 trade to the Twins. Now a backup behind William Contreras in Milwaukee, he is a pending free agent, and his comments before the Series put a possible return to his old team back in the conversation.
How it unfolded
- Oct 22, 2026A World Baseball Network preview of international players in the World Series lists Sanchez as a Brewers backup catcher who can also play first base.
- Oct 23, 2026Sanchez, 33, prepares to face the Rays in the World Series with the Brewers, seeking his first career championship.
- Oct 23, 2026In an interview with Jomboy Media content creator JoezMcfly, Sanchez says he has not ruled out a Yankees return in free agency.
- Oct 23, 2026His 2026 regular season: 86 games, a .209/.349/.422 slash line, 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .771 OPS, with 43 games behind the plate and the rest at DH and first base.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Sanchez said his best years came with the Yankees and that "I am a free agent; life takes many turns; one never knows."
- Analysts
- The Yankees were reportedly seeking a right-handed catcher this past season but made no trade, and are expected to reshape their roster, which is cited as context for a possible reunion.
Still unverified
The Yankees were "reportedly" in the market for a right-handed catcher this past season but did not make a trade; the report also notes that predicting offseason moves is difficult with a lockout likely.