The Padres and representatives for free agent catcher Gary Sánchez are engaged in discussions about a potential new contract, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. There’s no indication a deal is imminent, although Acee suggests a potential contract could land in the $6-8MM range on an annual basis.
Dennis Lin of the Athletic wrote in October that the Padres were interested in retaining Sánchez, so it’s unsurprising they’re still in contact. The veteran catcher had a rebound year at Petco Park, blasting 19 homers in just 72 games. While he only hit .218 with a .292 on-base percentage, that kind of power production from behind the plate is an excellent result for a player whom San Diego had claimed on waivers at the end of May.
The season ended on a down note, as an errant pitch fractured Sánchez’s wrist at the start of September. That isn’t expected to have any impact on his availability for upcoming Spring Training. In a market very light on catching options, Sánchez will fare quite a bit better than he had a year ago. The two-time All-Star settled for a minor league deal with the Giants last winter on the heels of a .205/.282/.377 showing with the Twins.
San Diego needs to add a second catcher in some capacity. The Padres have made clear they’re going to turn the primary job to 24-year-old Luis Campusano, who’s coming off a .319/.356/.491 showing through 49 games. Campusano and Brett Sullivan are the only catchers on the 40-man roster. In addition to Sánchez’s free agency, the club non-tendered Opening Day starter Austin Nola after a rough 2023 campaign.
mmm
I like it. He is the perfect back up/mentor for Campusano, who could really go off this year. He could end up with the highest BA of all NL cathers.
Sanchez a mentor?
Padres and their fans love Sanchez. All the reports of how bad he was on defense and what not didn’t show up in games. Not sure on the metrics or maybe he just looked great after watching trash Nola but they love him either way
Analytics? He was a 2.4 WAR player for 1/3 of a season, and a huge part of why Snell won the Cy Young. I’ll take those analytics any day.
BuT tHe PadRes arE BroKe, Ken Rosenthal told me all about it.
But I thought whatever Acee writes is non-believable.
I’ll listen to Dennis Lin…
I’m all for it……
2 years 20 mil ?
Hopefully, a little lower if only 2/16. That 2 mill can go in the pot to bring Snellzilla back too.
Sanchez and a miss on Yam would likely get that ball rolling.
Now Blake Snell HAS to come back; Sanchez revived his career.
Gary got better as a catcher and Snell really benefited from it.
Sign Sanchez!
Backup C and DH wouldn’t be horrible if the price is right
Gary Sanchez is taking a physical in Cleveland and will become a platoon with the Guardians and Bo Naylor . It’s a start to solve their RH power.
If he can carve out a full career as a platoon/back up/DH type and make mid-seven figures per season, I would count that as a win for Sanchez.
I’d give him 2 years/$18M guaranteed w/ a bunch of options: $8M AAV w/ a $2M buyout on mutual $9.5M option, $4M player option, 2 year/$18M club option.
Potential total of 4 years/$34M – if he can keep putting up 2.4 WAR it’ll be a slight under pay, but seeing as he’s such a threat to crater into being worthless, it’d probably balance out to fair and a good deal on both sides.
I approve…they could do worse.
What I hear from Padres fans is if Acee writes it, don’t believe it.
Sign for 3 peanut butter cookies
Good for The Kraken slowly becoming decent again. I would have predicted him to end up playing overseas somewhere.
They’ll probably give him a 10 year contract.
Looking less and less likely the padres will trade Soto.
Maldinado instead. But if not then Gary’s chubby ass.
Maldonado is 2 inches shorter and the same weight.
Is there something new here compared to when this was posted six days ago?