Ex-Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez joins Giants on a $4M MiLB deal

Saturday April 1, 2023

Former Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez went over to the San Francisco Giants on Friday after inking a minor league deal with them. Jon Heyman of The New York Post says that the deal, which is subject to a physical, is for $4 million in the major leagues and has an opt-out date of May 1.

Gary Sanchez is expected to show up at the team’s spring training facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, before joining an affiliate in the Minor Leagues. Ken Rosenthal, who was the first to report the news, said that he will be able to get out of his contract if he isn’t in the Major Leagues by May 1.

Free-agent catcher Gary Sánchez in agreement with Giants on minor-league contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Will report initially to team’s spring-training home in Scottsdale, then join a minor-league affiliate. Can opt out if not promoted to majors by May 1.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 31, 2023

Gary Sanchez is trying to get his career back on track after it went wrong in The Bronx. This is his latest stop. Earlier the two-time All-Star had agreed to play for the Dominican team Leones del Escogido. The 30-year-old’s MLB career spread over seven seasons saw him hitting .225, 154 homers, and 401 RBIs.

The once-top prospect who broke out in 2016 with the Yankees witnessed a sharp decline in his performance at the plate drop, bringing to the fore his defensive flaws.

In 2016, he hit 20 home runs in 53 games and finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year race, behind Michael Fulmer. After that, Gary Sanchez hit 33 home runs, drove in 90 runs, and had an OPS of .876 in 2017. Along with Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, and Luis Severino, he seemed to be a key part of the Yankees’ young core.

But his last few seasons with the Yankees were marked by a drop in his offensive production and criticism of his defense. Gary Sanchez was finally released by the Yankees last spring, when he was traded to Minnesota along with Gio Urshela for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt.

After joining the Twins, Gary Sanchez started the 2022 season splitting time between DH and catcher, but when Ryan Jeffers had surgery on his right thumb in July, he had to go back to catching full-time.

In the offseason, the Twins decided not to extend Gary Sanchez’s contract. This made him a free agent, and the 30-year-old was unable to find a job in the major leagues.

Earlier in the offseason, the Giants were said to be interested in Gary Sanchez but couldn’t offer him a contract.

Why did the Giants sign Gary Sanchez?

The Giants had three catchers on their Opening Day roster this year — Joey Bart, Roberto Pérez, and Rule 5 Draft pick Blake Sabol. Each of them has some questions about their future, which makes it hard to tell what the team’s long-term plans are behind the plate.

Roberto Perez started at catcher for the Giants on Opening Day against the Yankees in The Bronx. Perez, who is now 34, played for Cleveland for eight years and won two Gold Glove Awards. However, he has only played in 65 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.

Former top prospect Joey Bart is still on the roster, but the 26-year-old has been a disappointment in parts of three seasons in the majors. Bart came into the game in the eighth inning to help out on defense.

Sabol, who is 25 years old, used to play in the outfield, but now he catches. He made his Major League debut in left field on Thursday.

Gary Sanchez probably needs some time in the minors before he can be considered for a spot on the Giants roster. He had a .659 OPS at the end of last season with Minnesota.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.