The Mets are signing former Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez to a minor-league contract, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old was back on the open market after exercising the opt-out of his minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants. In 16 games with their minor-league affiliate in Sacramento, he slashed .164/.319/.182 with zero home runs and eight RBI.
It’s been a swift fall from grace for the slugging catcher, who was a two-time All-Star with the Yankees and eclipsed the 30-home-run mark twice in his first three full seasons with the club. An inability to attain any semblance of consistency derailed his career in the Bronx as he batted a paltry .201 in his last four years with the team.
He was traded to the Minnesota Twins alongside Gio Urshela last season.
While Sanchez is labeled a catcher, there is little space for him to make the majors with the Mets as one. Top prospect Francisco Alvarez is beginning to receive regular playing time in front of Tomas Nido with Omar Narvaez recently being transferred to the 60-day injured list due to a calf injury.
Sanchez’s defense also doesn’t suggest any sort of tangible backstop option in Queens, either. That makes his likeliest path back to the big leagues via the designated hitter spot, which doesn’t guarantee a clear-cut path, either. While the DH position in the Mets’ lineup has lacked any sort of sustainable power since Daniel Vogelbach was brought on last season, Mark Vientos is excelling down in Triple-A with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, and a 1.120 OPS.
