It’s no secret that the New York Yankees are looking for an experienced backup catcher who could provide that power and depth along with veteran leadership off the bench.
Last season, catching was definitely the team’s Achilles’ heel, as they had right-handed-hitting backup catcher Ali Sanchez, who hit for a subpar .244 batting average with only one home run and eight RBIs, along with backup Mitch Garver, who, following a season of hitting .186 with four home runs and 15 RBIs, decided to call it a career.
Meanwhile, starter Austin Wells had a subpar season, which saw him hit for a disappointing .186 batting average with 14 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Looking for a backup who could team up with Wells, names such as Ryan Jeffers (.256 batting average, 14 home runs, 56 RBIs), Carson Kelly (.258 batting average, 10 home runs, 58 RBIs), and Kyle Higashioka (.218 batting average, seven home runs and 18 RBIs) are catchers the Yankees are rumored to be looking at.
While they are all quality second-string catchers, one free agent catcher who, as mentioned earlier, provides that devastating power along with a cannon arm is former Yankee Gary Sánchez, who, this past season with the World Series Champions Milwaukee Brewers, connected for 12 home runs and 38 RBIs and a .209 batting average in only 225 at-bats.
Power-Hitting Catcher Gary Sánchez Would Once Again Look Good in Pinstripes
Throughout his well-traveled 12-year MLB career, this 33-year-old catcher, who played for six teams, enjoyed, for whatever reason, the most success with the Yankees.
Sanchez made his MLB debut on October 3, 2015, and went on to play just over six years in the Bronx, where he hit 30-plus home runs in two seasons. Back in 2016, Sanchez showed great potential as he produced in only 229 plate appearances, 20 home runs while driving in 42 runs and hitting for a .299 batting average to finish as a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year.
During his tenure as a Yankee, Sanchez’s accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed as he won the 2017 AL Silver Slugger Award in his sophomore season, where his popularity at Yankee Stadium continued to grow as he mashed 33 home runs and drove in 90 runs while hitting for a respectable .278 batting average. Besides the Silver Slugger Award, Sanchez was also named to the 2017 and 2019 AL All-Star Teams.
As a Yankee, Sanchez ended up with 444 hits, 299 runs scored, 78 doubles, two triples, 138 home runs, 340 RBIs and a .230 batting average. Sanchez’s tenure in pinstripes ended on March 13, 2022, when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins in a multi-player deal.
Since then, Sanchez has gone on to play for the Twins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles and the Brewers.
Meanwhile, the Yankees need a catcher such as Sanchez who could push first-stringer Wells to have a rebound season. Unlike another catcher who would need time getting used to the pressure and scrutiny of playing for the Yankees, Sanchez would be used to it since this would be his second go-around.
Once again, Sanchez has the veteran presence and that raw power which would make the Yankees a more dangerous team.
The Door Is Now Wide Open for Sanchez to Once Again Be a Yankee
Not long after triumphantly hoisting the World Series Trophy, Sanchez was officially a free agent.
On Saturday, October 31st, Sanchez was no longer a Brewer as the team decided to decline the catcher’s mutual option, which gives Sanchez a four million-dollar buyout and makes him a free agent.
In reflecting on his time as a Yankee, Sanchez stated, “A lot of fans will remember me for a long time. I also put records there in the franchise that they will always mention me. And it’s the team that I’ve lasted the longest.”
This past season, Sanchez made history when, on August 30th at American Family Field in the seventh inning, he became the first Dominican Republic-born catcher to reach 200 career home runs. This historic home run came off former Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery.
The Last Word
Back in 2016, when Sanchez broke into the MLB with the Yankees, he quickly became extremely popular as he made rookie history by becoming the fastest to hit 20 home runs, which he did in 53 games. In the first couple of seasons, his power and speed, along with a strong throwing arm, made him extremely popular in the Bronx.
That popularity took a big hit in 2018 when Sanchez drastically slumped by hitting only .186, and his defensive game struggled as he had 18 passed balls.
In the next few years, Sanchez performance as a Yankee can best be described as extremely inconsistent, which led to criticism from fans and the veteran eventually getting traded.
While his defensive game might be below par, Sanchez could still provide that big bat off the bench and once again won’t need time getting used to playing under the heavy scrutiny of New York.
He is a free agent; the Yankees should definitely consider signing him.
