The Mets are in agreement with catcher Ali Sánchez on a minor league contract, reports Will Sammon of The Athletic. He’d elected free agency after being outrighted by the Red Sox.
It was only a matter of hours before Sánchez found a new landing spot. The Mets placed Francisco Alvarez on the injured list this week. He’s dealing with a thumb injury that’ll require surgery at some point, though he and the team are holding out hope that can be delayed until the offseason. That leaves them with a catching duo of Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger.
Torrens had his own brief injury scare on Wednesday after being struck on the glove hand by a swing in a catcher’s interference. He was able to finish the game and said afterwards that he believes he’s avoided any real injury, though he conceded he felt some soreness while gripping the bat (link via Tom Hanslin of SNY).
Senger started yesterday and is back in the lineup tonight. Torrens is capable of playing. Otherwise, the Mets would’ve made a roster move for another catcher in case Senger is knocked out of the game early. It nevertheless highlights how tenuous their catching depth is after the Alvarez injury. Neither of their current Triple-A catchers, Matt O’Neill and Onix Vega, appear to be viable big league options. Sánchez would very likely be the next man up if Torrens or Senger requires an injured list stint.
The 28-year-old Sánchez played in the Mets’ farm system between 2014-20. He had a very brief big league stint five years ago and was traded to the Cardinals during the 2020-21 offseason. He has since been a member of seven different organizations, reaching the big leagues with four of them. He’s a .185/.222/.235 hitter in 47 career MLB contests. It’s a very light bat, but Sánchez has a solid defensive reputation that makes him a capable third or fourth catcher on the depth chart.
I’m confused. I thought that the decision to elect free agency came before the outright? That is, I thought that him being listed as “Outrighted to Worcester” meant that he’d accepted the assignment. Is there a grace period or something?
The decision comes after. The team can outright/assign a player to the minors and it’s up to the player (if they have the appropriate option) to either accept or refuse and elect for free agency instead
Ah, I always thought it was a “we’re going to option you” -> player says yes/no -> if yes, optioned, if no, free agent. Didn’t realize the option always technically happens and then the player can opt-out. That explains the seemingly conflicting news reports from earlier. Always learning!
Option and outright aren’t the same. A player with options will not need to be outrighted to be sent down.
I typed “optioned” but I meant “outrighted”. Too late to edit now D:
Ali Sanchez the Worst Catcher in the World Lol Mets
youtube.com/watch?v=6Piv4SdhFJE
I guess it’s a good thing he’s third string and likely won’t see any playing time. Troll.
Calling it a troll gives it too much credit. If thats trolling it might as well either practice it more or give it up and find something its better at.
Hold on, hold on, hold on. Earlier, he was staying in the Red Sox org. Someone jumped the gun on this one?
Then let’s clear it up for you. The Red Sox outrighted him to Worcester. Upon being outrighted, Sanchez had the right to then say, “No”, and elect free agency.
I’m a simpleton, so pardon my observation here. The Mets have a catcher that’s first name is Onix? I didn’t know we had Pokémon in baseball!
I’ll see myself out.
Was waiting for this announcement. He’s not a good hitter, but he is a good defensive catcher.. in many instances preventing a run scored against your team is as good as scoring a run for your team.
I feel like he was signed by half the league this year.