Former Yankees Catcher Seen as Real Option for NL Central Team
Former New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is reportedly an option for the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Robert Murray on Foul Territory. Sanchez, 31 years old, last played for the San Diego Padres in 2023 and hit 19 home runs.
Henry Davis, the Pirates' top prospect who made his big league debut in 2023, will have pressure taken off of him if they land a catcher. For a 24-year-old, that could help his development. There were worries about his defensive abilities as he appeared in just two games behind the plate.
Murray says that Sanchez will be around the $5 million mark when it is all said and done.
That figure could scare teams away unless they believe he can provide similar value to what he did with the Padres. Blake Snell won a Cy Young with Sanchez catching him and that could be a selling point for the two-time All-Star.
When he was with the Yankees, he was a potential 30-plus home run threat. His best season came in 2017 when he hit 33 home runs and slashed .278/.345/.531.
Sanchez won his only Silver Slugger that season and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
His time in New York did not end the way that many were hoping for.
Fans started to become frustrated with his play and the front office decided that it was time to move him. Sanchez was a part of the trade that sent himself and Gio Urshela to the Minnesota Twins for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
He's bounced around a few different organizations since the Yankees moved him, and it seems like he has another suitor.
