Nov. 27: Sanchez went unclaimed on waivers and will become a free agent, Rosenthal tweets. A formal announcement from the club should follow.
Nov. 25: The White Sox have outrighted infielder Yolmer Sanchez from their 40-man roster, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). MLBTR had projected him to earn $6.2MM in arbitration.
While he has at times been a solid contributor in Chicago, Sanchez is coming off of a rough 2019 season at the plate. There are quite a few veteran alternatives available in free agency, making it tough to pay that kind of cash to retain him.
Sanchez has been trusted with quite a lot of playing time on the South Side of late, appearing in over 140 games in each of the past three seasons. But his offensive output has declined steadily in that span, dropping from a .267/.319/.413 batting line and 95 wRC+ in 2017 — that is, five percent below league average — to last year’s .252/.318/.321 slash and 74 wRC+.
While Sanchez has maintained the same general strikeout and walk levels all along — he’s a bit below the league average with both his career 7.5% walk rate and 21.0% strikeout rate — his power has fallen off a cliff. Sanchez went from a dozen home runs and a .147 isolated power mark in 2017 to just two dingers and a .069 ISO in 2019.
What hasn’t changed is Sanchez’s excellent glovework. Whether utilized at second or third base, he has graded as a top-notch performer — even winning a Gold Glove Award for his work at second base in 2019. That makes him a strong candidate to find a landing spot as a utility piece. Barring a big upswing at the plate, however, it’s hard to imagine Sanchez as a regular lineup piece on a team with designs on immediate contention. If and when he does land elsewhere, he’ll be controllable through the 2021 season via arbitration.
Guy won a gold glove…? Why cut him?
74 wRC+ and a top prospect currently in AAA with equivalent defense and a better bat.
His days were numbered regardless, but signing Grandal put the writing on the wall for Yolmer. Even his mother wasn’t surprised.
6.2 million reasons. Their top prospect is a second basemen. They also could move moncada back there if they end up with a 3B
Luis Robert plays the outfield & is their top prospect. Madrigal plays 2nd. Second coming of Willie Mays & Pedroia, respectively. 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 World Series champion White Sox pleeeease believe it !!!!
Recent history has told me not to believe Chicago fans when they claim: Here comes the dynasty!
@Grebek7 I’m a die=hard White Sox fan and I think you’re being ridiculous. The Pedroia comp isn’t bad, but Mays?! Seriously? No one doubts Robert is talented, but how ’bout we let him actually play in the majors before comparing him to one of the all-time greats?
Agreed, Hyrax. Not too many years ago some folks in Atlanta were calling Jason Heyward a lefthanded Hank Aaron. It’s okay for fans to be excited about hyped prospects. It’s better not to let the excitement get out of hand. As a Cubs fan it’s all-too-familiar scenario. In another thread someone decided Nico Hoerner is the next Ryne Sandberg. Hoerner is more likely the next Ryan Theriot. I’m interested to see Robert and Madrigal play – reason for Sox fans to be excited, along with the guys already on the squad.
Grebek7: I’m sold with your overt ‘Hawkisms’. “You can put it on the board! Yes!
As for Yolbert Sanchez, “he gone!’ with Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick likely “grabbing some bench” as the White Sox two versatile utility players in 2020.
* Yolmer Sanchez. Brain fart with recently signed White Sox international FA SS Yolbert Sanchez on my mind who came over from Cuba and is now their top SS prospect.
This is an underrated comment
I thought that as well. Go have some Sox.
Unless we where talking about hockey
I bet you had the Bears winning the Super Bowl this year too.
Hoping they leave Moncada alone at 3rd base. Showing his skills.
Yolmer is a “Hoot” and a good glove, but the Pesos are too much
Its obvious. To make room for Madrigal. Also, Luery makes a better all around utility player and has a better bat. Luery infield glove may not be as good as Yolmers, but he can still play when needed. Luery can also leadoff. It was an obvious move as the Sox wanted to give him a chance to catch on with another club.
Jeff Todd, why did not you mention that in the article? Kind of interesting seeing an award winner show exactly how important those things are. He won the Gold Glove!
I understand he has very little offensive value, but hes been a regular for 3 years and a solid defender and decent on the base paths. Can play multiple positions… you dont throw him away.
This right here is why the White Sox have not won since Ozzie was in control (2-4 years before he left), and will not win after this rebuild……
They think the game is all about blow ’em down pitchers and power hitters. That’s fine. When their payroll is maxed out and their roster is full of vets they can wind up 3rd in the division most years – 2nd if the other teams suck that year.
Anyone that has watched the White Sox the past 10 or so years is stunned at how they don’t make plays in the field, and at least once a week throw the ball around resulting in Little League HR’s and triples. Games are turned around and the pitchers get discouraged.
They have the worst fielding 1B and LF in MLB. Their SS can make flashy plays – unfortunately he tries to make standard MLB plays flashy and messes them up. Their RF situation is a mess (if that’s not enough – they want to sign Castellanos, the worst RF by far in MLB) .
I understand that $6m is a large amount for them when they have a youngster coming up. But having not seen him play at the ML level (along with the touted CF) it seems to me that Sanchez should have been kept as 5th infielder – one that would be there to cover for injuries and can be inserted past the 5th inning for defensive purposes to protect a lead. With all those young players their payroll is not so large that they couldn’t help to support their young pitchers.
Defense supports pitchers, not hoping for offensive scoring outbursts. Pitch counts are enforced when a guy hits his ceiling for the day. Teams that don’t make plays on D make their pitchers throw extra pitches and they have to leave games early even if they’re pitching well.
The fact that Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn put up with this year after year says that if you want to watch sloppy, low baseball IQ, awful fundamental baseball – then the Chicago White Sox are the team for you.
A lot of words when it was apparent to any White Sox fan with half a brain that Yolbert Sanchez would be replaced by second baseman Nick Madrigal who not only plays Gold Glove caliber defense but also has a high contact bat capable of competing for future AL batting titles. Madrigal also possesses a high baseball IQ which is far more than can be said for your comment.
It’s Yolmer Sanchez. I normally wouldn’t feel need to correct but there is a player on Sox system from previous INTL signing period with the name Yolbert Sanchez. Oddly enough similar player profile. MLB ready fielding not sure if the bat will ever play in MLB
Are you kidding me Vandals? When exactly did this guy become Joe Morgan? Nobody in baseball will pay him $6.2M next year so accept that reality.
You’re right, he went unclaimed through wavers and now he’s a free agent. I’m sure whoever signs him will pay him a lot less that $6.2MM
Van handle or whatever this jabronis name is clearly is drinking the hateraid. Typical cub fan trolling as his cubbies are unraveling at the seems.
LOL
You kids give yourselves far too much credit.
The baseball world doesn’t revolve around Chicago (or Boston or NYC or LA or Philly….as ESPN tries to make it do each year). I don’t care for the Cubs either.
I’m a baseball fan that follows at least 10 teams a year on MLB.TV. I see most other teams when the ones I watch play them.
I’ve found the White Sox unwatchable for years now. But worse then that – I find the way they play baseball to be insulting to the viewer and the sport…..and I’ve been watching MLB for over 60 years. I don’t think there’s a baseball smart player on that team…..nor has there been one since Paul Konerko retired. After a few innings of watching a team I enjoy watching play the White Sox, I find another game to watch.
No kid talk here pal.
I just turned 64 this month and have been a die-hard MLB, Cubs and White Sox fan since the early 1960’s. No one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to comment on Chicago, NY, LA, Boston or Philly articles. This site offers plenty of articles and with little bias regarding all MLB teams and players. Try sticking to those involving the teams which catch your fancy. You might live a little longer!
Vandals, don’t listen to the critics. You hit the nail on the head. If there is one team where the whole rarely adds up to the sum of its parts, it’s the White Sox. Abysmal defensive team, poor baserunning, strike out a ton, walk seldom. Starting pitching is iffy, bullpen is questionable. Tim Anderson and the closer were smoke an mirrors last year. Front office and on-field leadership are laughable. Baseball IQ is lacking. Not a homerun hitting team in a bandbox. You have a catcher who had a 3.8 bWAR season, but you shove him aside for a guy who had a 2.5 bWAR. And paid him $73 million for it! Why was THAT the priority? I don’t get it.
Hey, I know the Sox have good players and potential; they did, after all, cripple my Tribe last year. But if you watched the Sox all year like I did, you know they did not underperform. They were a 72 win team and that ‘ain’t good. Looking for the Sox to rocket up the standings is silly.
Because gold gloves are a subjective, over hyped award.
Probably cut him because he’s terrible at all other aspects of the game.
Guy was going to get around 7 mil in arbitration . Too expensive for a good glove utility guy who couldn’t hit water if he fell out a boat
Needed to be done, good move.
Gold glove defense with moderate offense and a great personality with love for the game and a joy to watch? If I was al Avila I would sign him in a heartbeat. (Plus he’s decently young)
I hope the Chisox resign him to a 2/$10 M deal. Something like that
More like a two years for $7.0 million.
Yap – sign him for 2/6m. Then L. Garcia for the same. Two guys would be great backups.
I know they like Medwick but no experience.
You are lucky that a Cub fan owns this site and not me otherwise you would be permanently banished to the doghouse in regards to perpetually trolling White Sox articles. As a Cubs fan also, I would do likewise with plenty of Cub-hating White Sox fans who continue to contaminate their comment sections with troll drool.
Madrigal has an 80 hit tool. They are NOT close to the same player.
Madrigal rates more like a 65 hit tool, but that’s still elite.
For what, to pour Gatorade over everyone’s head? Too expensive for back up, good glove weakening BA
I could see the Tigers signing him at less than $3 mill. for one year, but he’ll probably get better offers elsewhere. Otherwise, it’ll be another year of Castro-squared, Lugo, Candy, and Goodrum duking it out for playing time. Maybe Isaac Paredes later in the year.
Good move. $6.2M is a lot for a utility guy who can’t hit. Hope he catches on somewhere, though; he seems like a fun teammate.
He won a gold glove at 2B. He is an elite 2B defender. Not a utility guy.
There’s more to baseball than just defense.
I don’t know. Jason Heyward was able to convince the Cubs that defense is all that matters.
Ha-ha, although we both know that Jason Heyward was also a plus hitter with the Braves and Cardinals before micromanaging “Genius” Joe Maddon and his carousel of hitting coaches helped ruin him after he joined the Cubs.
1 tool players are not starters on good teams.
His bats not an everyday player ergo not worth 7 mil a year
I hope they re-sign him, but I think he’d be better off with an NL team.
Yolmer served his purpose as lighthearted teammate on club designed to lose. Good fit to be that utility guy where he can play a lot in another rebuild situation (Bal, Det, Mia, etc).
Cubbies need a second sacker? Wouldn’t have to sell his house
That actually sounds like a reasonable move for the Cubs. He sounds like good fit and does offer some versatility A couple of things-Yolmer will need to settle for a lot less $ and the Cubs will need to finally move on from Russell and DeScalso
They could certainly do worse for a utility guy. I wouldn’t put him full-time at 2B, though; such a weak bat and they already have to have the pitcher bat. With Heyward in RF, that’s 3 pretty big holes in the lineup on a daily basis.
You do understand preventing runs is as important as creating them? Cubs will factually win more games with him at 2B playing gold glove defense instead of a guy who will hit 20 homers and be bad at defense.
With the rise in strikeouts, defense is becoming less and less valuable. K-rates are up from 17.5% in 2001 to about 23.5%. Nearly two less balls per game to field. There are also more fly balls than ever, which further reduces the value of infield defense.
Kolton Wong led MLB second basemen in plays last year with 252. He would have been 18th in 2009 when Aaron Hill led with 342. If second baseman are making fewer plays, then the ability to make those plays is less important.
Yolmer Sanchez can become Darwin Barney 2.0! lol
Always seemed to hit Tiger pitching (but doesn’t everyone?) so not unhappy to see him go.
he could make out well after he clears. surely wolnt get 6.2 million but could still get a couple mil.
Every team is better with a Yolmer on it. 6.2 mil is about 4.2 mil to steep for a Yolmer, he will be missed.
The Brewers need a utility infielder to fill the Hernan Perez role, one with an emphasis on second base to come in for Keston Hiura as a late inning replacement. One that might take a walk every now and then and even be in charge of the walk-off Gatorade dump. Too bad he’s going to be as expensive as he’s projected to be.
My first thought was Milwaukee signing him. He’s such a smart competitor.
Not disappointed to see him leave, but I’d be surprised if he’s not back on a multi-year deal at a much cheaper AAV.
I don’t see him coming back. They have Leury to be their utility guy. He’ll get on somewhere that had terrible 2B defense last year, though, just not for nearly $6.2M.
I have no idea why $6.2M is considered “too much” for a gold glove winner from the previous year, no matter how bad the bat is.
The more I think about this, the more I dislike it. His WAR the last 3 years: 3.5, 2.6, 2,1. that’s a decline but 2 WAR guys are actually hard to find and certainly should be making $6M or even $10M.
Money played a big role but as important is the fact that the Sox have a 2nd base prospect who won a minor league gold glove, hit .311 in his first experience at AAA and struck out only 16 times in over 500 PAs. The White Sox also have, in Leury Garcia, a versatile utility play who can field all of the positions Sanchez can plus any of the three outfield spots as well.
Sounds like a Royal to me, lots of glove and little bat
Lol very solid point
Hopefully loosening up some extra cash to sign someone else or extension. CWS allows Sanchez to test the market as a free agent, if the money is right they’ll sign him back.
Writing was on the wall. He will land somewhere though. That defense is worth a roster spot. Just not at 6.2m. I look for the Orioles to pick him up at around 1-2m a year
GG defense is worth more than that, even with a weak bat. I’m guessing around $3.5-$4M/yr on a 2-yr deal, maybe with a 3rd-yr option.
I was always confused for 2017 and 2018 about who he was because before 2017, he was known as Carlos Sanchez.
I’m fairly confident he will be offered a chance to return to the White Sox at a cheaper rate. In a bench role, I’d be happy to see it.
Difference between getting outrighted and non-tendered at this point in the offseason?
Yolbert Sanchez’ expected 2020 arbitration salary alone would pay for top second base prospect Nick Madrigal’s pre-arb dollars as well his first year of arb-eligibility. It would also make a nice downpayment on a long term extension for Madrigal if the White Sox wisely decide to go that route as they did with Eloy Jimenez last spring which ‘enabled’ the slugging LF to open the 2019 season on their opening day roster. Hopefully the front office will do likewise with both Madrigal and uber-CF prospect Luis Robert before opening day to insure both will be in their starting lineup from the get-go.
As for Sanchez, it’s possible he could be retained at a lesser salary in order to become a valuable reserve infielder for the White Sox next year. Active rosters will expand to 26 players in 2020 and the White Sox are expected to carry 3 catcher which would require having at least a couple of reserves capable of playing multiple positions. I’m guessing Leury Garcia will be one with his ability to play 6 different positions including SS, 2B, 3B and all 3 OF slots. If I were a betting man I’d guess that the second utility spot will fall to 26-year old Danny Mendick who made his White Sox debut last September and has the ability to play 2B, SS and 3B. He will be earning the MLB minimum and could also play 2B if Madrigal’s debut is delayed due to service time issues.
* Yolmer.
YolBERT Sanchez is a recently signed shortstop out of Cuba. YolMER (nee Carlos) Sanchez is the current Gold Glove second baseman, and jack of all trades (with the notable exception of hitting), who was handed the mitten today by the Chisox.
I believe I have noted the incorrect first name more than once with my comment posts. Clearly I was referring to ‘Yolmer’ and not ‘Yolbert’ with my remarks.
Yup, wasn’t piling on. At the time I posted, there had been a couple of Yolbert references and I hadn’t seen any corrections.
I would understand this more if they intended to start Madrigal with the club. But they won’t. Now, in a year where they could conceivably make a run, they will likely start off the year with a vastly inferior 2b option, unless they sign another OF and bring Robert up immediately, and move Garcia to 2b. They won’t do that either.
I hope they can resign him at a lesser deal. They really should be all in for the entire season.
The White Sox might offer both Nick Madrigal and Luis Robert contract extensions similar to what they gave Eloy Jimenez last spring making their delayed MLB debuts moot due to service time issues. Danny Mendick is also a natural middle infielder and could certainly hold down the fort at 2B if Madrigal’s debut is delayed for a month or so. Leury Garcia could do likewise for Robert in CF as well.
It’s possible that the White Sox could bring Yolmer Sanchez back with a lesser AAV contract to cover 2B and provide insurance at 3B as well. Unfortunately for Sanchez, he is not nearly as proficient at playing SS due to a weak throwing arm which is not an issue for Mendick and especially Garcia who has a cannon. With the White Sox likely carrying 3 catcher in 2020 it would be difficult for them to also have 3 utility players on board even with active rosters expanding to 26 next year.
I sincerely hope they bring him back, or call up Madrigal immediately.
The time to complete is now, and they need to stop playing service time games that stunt player development.
20 games doesn’t stunt anyone’s growth. Why would any team give up a years worth of control over 20 games. Your statement is ignorant.
Because players who linger in the minors press and begin to develop bad habits when they know they are being suppressed. And a slow start turns 20 games into 60 real fast. That’s what GM happened to both Kopech and Cease, and I still think overthrowing and stress contributed to Kopech’s injury.
Nick Madrigal will get a look in spring training, but I would sign Ben Zobrist or Brock Holt for a stopgap and veteran leader until he is ready. Don’t want Madrigal rushed like Gordon Beckham.
Nick Madrigal is no Gordon Beckham, much the same as Luis Robert in no Kenny Williams. lol
There is no great need for the White Sox to sign another veteran 2B this offseason. Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick are already penciled in to be utility players in 2020 and can suffice if Madrigal and Robert have their MLB debuts delayed due to service time issues.
You best believe that Ben Zobrist and Brock Holt, along with their agents know that it is only a matter of time, likely weeks before both uber-prospects make their White Sox debuts if they don’t open the 2020 season with the team. I’m sure they will receive offers elsewhere that hold a promise of more playing time.
Note: Either Holt or Zobrist could potentially have more interest to the White Sox if they somehow fail to secure their RF this offseason. If that was the case, I’d be somewhat comfortable with Zobrist manning the position on a semi-regular basis while also giving the White Sox another high contact bat to pair with Madrigal in 2020. I’m not as bullish on Holt who despite his younger age and lefty bat is really just a ‘poor man’s’ version of Zobrist. I also like Zobrist ability to switch-hit which would give the White Sox four in 2020 along with 3B Yoan Moncada, C Yasmani Grandal and INF/OF Leury Garcia.
There are a lot clueless people in here upset over a player that has decline last three years at the plate and strikes out way to much with a 638 ops. And everyone saying he won a gold glove yes it was a nice defensive season but not enough to warrant a 6 mil+ salary and they have players already that will fill his role just fine with much better offensive upside and won’t be a butcher in the field. Also everyone said Eloy would begin the year AAA last year. Robert will be in CF on opening day and think madigral will be too. Sox haven’t been that franchise that use the service time rule as other teams. Even though it would behoove them to but if they think they are ready they bring them up. Everyone calm down. This is the right move for the franchise moving forward.
If his offensive production is not worth $6.2 mil then why/how is he getting $6.2 in arbitration? Maybe he gets less? If so, Sox jumped the gun and may be sorry. And I hope Madigral is all he’s been hyped up to be.
He is not getting anything in arbitration as he was cut by the Sox.
So Yolmer Sanchez got to play with Yoan Moncada and Yonder Alonso, but won’t be on the team with Yasmani Grandal, Yermin Mercedes or Yolbert Sanchez.
Yes!
Yikes!
Y not? Lower AAV deal still a possibility.
Believe or not I feel this guy was a fan favorite. Great presence in the clubhouse and terrific defender. I’m sure he will be missed by his teammates. Sox need the offensive output for sure though so the move does not come as a surprise.
He is. White Sox may outbid whatever offers he gets out there. Out of respect, he should go and test the waters.
mlb.com/news/yolmer-sanchez-placed-on-waivers-by-w…
Reason #2 is obvious.
Could reason #4 be imminent? The White Sox had a week left to non-tender Yolmer Sanchez by the December 2nd deadline but (apparently) chose to expedite their decision in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. The White Sox had to DFA Daniel Palka last week to free up a roster spot for FA Yasmani Grandal. Could Zack Wheeler or another free agent be up next?
Goodbye Yolmer. One of the few bright spots in a dismal period, But now you’re free to signed of with a contending team. Hopefully they have a hitting coach. who help you with your hitting. But I laid odds that you’ll be with a contenting team who knows the value of a team player rather than the pipe dreams of unproven prospects.
Good dude and good teammate.
Hope he goes to NL where he can’t hurt us much.
And, he can always do Gatorade endorsements.
A very easy decision by the White Sox. Too much money for a non-starter.
If asked to hit for power I think his numbers would be different. He wasn’t. Looking back, there are countless sacrifice bunts and soft-swing singles. I’m pretty sure the two or three home runs he got were all one-handed or 3/4 swings. He’s a team player, a hustler and a good defender. Somebody really needs to pick him up.
It’s obvious the White Sox are freeing up roster spots for Robert and Madigral. Sanchez had the time to prove himself to be on the roster just like Cordell, Del Monica, Palka and Tilson but he could not get the much needed hits. Engle earned his spot as the fourth outfielder for 2020 and beyond. Let’s hope the White Sox sign a much needed starting pitcher or two with some bullpen while making a trade from now until the trade deadline for an outfielder.
The White Sox are going to evaluate Adolfo, Basabe, Rutherford and Walker this upcoming season to see who is going to be moved for that outfielder or as a future outfielder after 2020. My bet is that Walker will be a future outfielder for the White Sox.
The White Sox won’t need 40-man roster spots for either Luis Robert or Nick Madrigal until later this coming spring unless they are signed to an ‘Eloy Jimenez’ like MLB contract extension. The freeing up of the most recent spots with the DFA’s of Daniel Palka, Yolmer Sanchez and Ryan Burr are to make room for other offseason acquisitions via free agency, waiver claims or trades. The non-tender deadline is fast approaching on December 2nd which could provide the White Sox with an opportunity to land a player who fits a team need or provides additional depth.
I just don’t want to see the White Sox giving out three to four deals to Puig or Castellanos. There is too much potential with guys like Walker and Rutherford to improve in the next year or two. The White Sox can make a deal for a year or two or make a trade for guys like Pederson or Marte. The smart thing would be use the money to get a starting pitcher to some bullpen help then lock up Moncada and Giolito.
It isn’t just 40-man spots. Rodon, Burr, and Lambert are all on the 40 man roster now because of recent TJS. Come opening day, they can be moved back to the 60 day IL and no longer count towards the 40-man roster. That would have allowed both Madrigal and Robert to be added with a spot left over even if Yolmer hadn’t been released.
This is about money and probably other FA’s.
Yolmer will be back…He’s the Hector Santiago of position players
Yolmer had great club house presence but he is not worth more than $3.0 million a year!
Five years ago he would have gotten Eduardo Nunez money
Kind of surprised the team cut him. Being a FA, he should garner interest in a market that’s not ripe with 2B options. Plus he has that New Gold Glove this past season to show on his resume.
No surprise with Yolmer Sanchez clearing waivers. No other team wants to claim a player like Sanchez who would still be eligible for a potential $6.2MM payday via arbitration. Whichever teams ultimately signs him as free agent will do so with a lesser guaranteed AAV for 2020, perhaps the Cubs or even the White Sox.
Think Boston gives him a contract as insurance for Pedroia?
Not a bad idea at all! Plenty of offense around him. Locks down second base defensively. As a ardent White Sox fan, I hate to see him go. Yet I understand not paying him over 6 million considering his offensive output lately. Great clubhouse player from what I’ve heard. Also a former teammate of Chris Sale. Until Pedroia can prove he’s healthy, this would be an excellent move in my book.