‘Everybody loves Woody’: Signing official
PHOENIX – Anyone who happened to be paying close attention in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse at American Family Fields on Saturday would have seen, at some point, Wade Miley making his way through wearing a “Big Woo” Tshirt.
Printed last season as an homage to team and fan favorite Brandon Woodruff, the shirts became a hit among Brewers players.
But to be wearing it then, with Woodruff having been non-tendered in November and no longer around, was it just happenstance? Or was Miley perhaps providing a bit of foreshadowing of the news that was to come only a couple days later?
“I just happened to have it in my locker and that’s the one that I grabbed,” Miley said with a wink on Monday, not long after reports had surfaced that the Brewers and Woodruff had agreed to terms on a deal to bring the right-hander back into the fold.
The news was made official on Wednesday, with Woodruff signing a two-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2026.
“I mean, I can’t say enough good things about him as a human being, as a person,” Miley said. “I may have known a little bit before some people. It’s cool. I don’t even really have words. I’m so pumped up for him and excited to have Woo back here, and I know the organization is pumped to have him back.”
Woodruff, who underwent surgery on Oct. 13 to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder, spent the offseason in limbo as he went through the initial stages of healing and recovery, not knowing where he’d end up for the 2024 season — if anywhere at all.
He made it clear that his preference would be to return to Milwaukee, and the two sides remained in contact. But it wasn’t until only recently that the possibility began to appear as though it could become reality — and apparently after he’d already committed to another unnamed team.
“I was sad,” manager Pat Murphy said. “Because I thought it was turning the page for sure. And it hurt me not because he chose someone over us, but just because I wanted to be around him. Everybody loves Woody. He’s impacted because of who he is. He’s just superauthentic. He can’t be any other way.
“I’m not going to give you timetables. But from the time all this happened, it wasn’t very long. Even his closest friends were shocked.”
Woodruff, who just turned 31, was in Phoenix briefly earlier in the week finalizing the deal and is expected to return to Maryvale at some point as camp progresses.
One thing that is clear is that he won’t pitch in 2024, even though shortly after the surgery he said doctors had told him there was an outside shot. How he and the Brewers handle his continuing rehab isn’t yet set in stone, but Murphy indicated that Woodruff could end up spending more time in Milwaukee than Arizona, where players recovering from long-term injuries typically do their work.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that his rehab stays on the track that it’s on,” Murphy said. “We only have so much control, but we’ve got a lot of people looking out for him.”
Whatever time Woodruff is able to spend around the team will be a major bonus — especially considering how many young pitchers are currently in camp and will be cycling through once the season starts.
“He’s a veteran,” Miley said. “He’s went through the hard times, and he’s learned how to, like, get through them. How to take care of his body, how to be a professional. And I mean, we’re lacking that in the game today. Because I mean, there’s so many young guys coming up, and it’s not their fault — it’s just, you don’t know how to be a pro.
“Like, this is a guy who who’s done it the right way throughout his time here and guys who look up to him because of who he is. And that’s huge.”
Sánchez’s one-year deal official
It took quite a while to get the deal over the finish line.
But on Wednesday the Brewers were finally able to consummate their signing of catcher Gary Sánchez to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2025, a move that not only significantly lengthens their lineup but also gives them another top-shelf catching option to pair with William Contreras.
“I mean, it’s exciting to sign a player of this caliber with what he’s done in the game,” said manager Pat Murphy. “I hear he’s a super kid. I don’t know him, but I know him as a player from coaching against him. He’s dangerous. When he comes to the plate, it’s danger. “I think he’s a great addition.” Word that the Brewers and the 31year-old Sánchez had agreed to terms first broke all the way back on Feb. 7. But since then it had been radio silence as Milwaukee reported to camp with six catchers, none of them Sánchez.
Sánchez was hit by a pitch and suffered a fractured right wrist early last September while playing for the San Diego Padres, an injury that ultimately ended a comeback season for the twotime all-star. It’s unclear if the wrist played any role in the delay in his signing with the Brewers, but an educated guess would be no stone was left unturned in ensuring Sánchez would be good to go for 2024.
Sánchez was well-traveled in 2023, originally signing with the San Francisco Giants on April 1 before being released a month later. He signed a week later with the New York Mets, played three games for them and then was designated for assignment.
He finally found a home in San Diego and in 72 games hit .217 with 19 home runs and 46 runs batted in to go along with an OPS of .792 before ultimately being felled by the broken wrist.
With Milwaukee, Sánchez should be able to be penciled into the middle of the lineup as he splits time with William Contreras at both catcher and designated hitter.
“Great right-handed power bat,” Christian Yelich said. “A veteran player. I’ve heard great things about him. I don’t know him super-well just because we’ve never played together or anything like that. But you know, just watching him play, he’s got good power from the right side and will be good to have.”
To clear room for Sánchez on the 40man roster, Woodruff was placed on the 60-day injured list. Infielder Jahmai Jones, meanwhile, was designated for assignment.