The New York Yankees could have a new catcher in 2021, as the team considers trading catcher Gary Sanchez. They will at least listen to offers for the backstop, according to the New York Post.
Sanchez should be traded because he has struggled offensively and defensively while failing to live up to expectations in New York. This season, he batted .147 and struck out 64 times. In the playoffs, he was replaced as the starting catcher by Kyle Higashioka.
The Yankees will not do anything with Sanchez until they know if DJ LeMahieu is staying, and how much it will cost if he does. LeMahieu rejected the Yankees qualifying offer. Sanchez’s future is up in the air.
“It’s certainly a fair question, the way Gary Sanchez’s season transpired and the way it ended with (Higashioka) actually starting in the postseason as many games as he did,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in October. “It’s one of the discussion points we’re gonna have to focus on.”
Bringing in a vet?
So who would the Yankees replace Sanchez with? St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and the Chicago White Sox James McCann are two options. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that Molina has fetched interest from the Yankees and New York Mets as well as three or four other teams, in addition to the Cardinals.
Future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina has received calls with interest from both the Yankees and Mets plus 3-4 other teams in addition to the #STLCards as I just said on @MLBNetwork St. Louis is the likely favorite but in free agency you never know. Seeks a 2-year deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 12, 2020
Molina is probably the best option for the Yankees if they trade Sanchez. The nine-time All-Star and a nine-time Gold Glove winner would be an upgrade at the position. This season he hit .262 with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
Sanchez could play in the Dominican winter league if the Yankees move on from him. New York trading Sanchez and signing Molina is the most logical prediction. The Yankees will probably sign Molina and trade or even release Sanchez.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Alex Jordan on Twitter @aljordan34
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
