TODAY: The Yankees officially announced the move, specifying that Sanchez has now signed a Major League contract with the team.
JUNE 5: The Yankees will select catcher Ali Sánchez onto the MLB roster, reports Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. New York hasn’t confirmed that move but announced tonight that backup catcher J.C. Escarra was optioned to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. New York has had room on the 40-man roster since early-season DFAs of Cade Winquest and Randal Grichuk, so no other move is necessary.
Sánchez will take over as the backup catcher behind Austin Wells, giving them a right-handed bat in the process. The Yankees have used a left-handed hitting duo of Wells and Escarra all season. Neither player has done anything offensively, with the latter hitting .177 without a home run in 22 games. Wells has a putrid .166/.278/.255 line across 169 plate appearances. He only has five hits in 50 at-bats against lefty pitching.
The 29-year-old Sánchez, who signed an offseason minor league deal, isn’t going to provide much of an offensive boost. He’s a .183 hitter in 50 career big league contests. This year’s .227/.327/.375 line over 40 Triple-A contests is below average and has come with reverse platoon splits. The Yankees figure to look for a clearer upgrade behind the dish before the trade deadline. They’ll hope Sánchez can provide a small spark, or at least better balance, in the interim.
Sánchez has a solid defensive reputation. He showed a plus arm in ranking among the top 20 catchers in average pop time last year in very brief stints with the Red Sox and Blue Jays. Sánchez has thrown out nearly a quarter of attempted base stealers at the MLB level and is 12-43 (28%) with Scranton this season. Statcast also graded him favorably for his blocking ability during his most extended MLB action, a 31-game stint with the Marlins two seasons ago.
Wrong Sanchez. Just pick up Gary instead.
Wrong Ali. Just pick up Ali G instead.
I prefer Warren or Kenny G.
I’ll take Earl Warren or Warren Beatty
I’ll take Warren Haynes
I’d trade for Gary, too.
Hey why not?
Can’t be worse than Escarra. I’d be happy if the Yankees can get 1 WAR out of the catcher position this season.
How about a decent batting average instead of war
Or just a hit once in a while when bases are loaded. Wells is the king rally killer.
The de-prioritization of batting average over the last decade drives me nuts
Because people raised on metrics want a .300 hitter at every place in the lineup?
Pedro Pagés is available. Offense isn’t his strength, but he’s a pretty good defender.
It’s just crazy all the current major league catchers that came from the Yankee organization, and the worst ones are on the Yankees
The Yankees used to be known as “catcher whisperers” or something, had this knack of producing highly skilled-up catchers. I guess that line has dried up. (Jose Trevino, Kyle Higoshioka, Carlos Narvaez, JC Escarra, Gary Sanchez; Jim Leyritz, Jesus Montero, okay I’m missing some.)
ummm.. Leyritz?? what are you even talking about?
That bat twirl thing Leyeitz did was pretty boss
Not so much the crimes he did, tho.
(Matt Nokes, Butch Wynneger)
Why don’t they just bring up Augustine Ramirez? Oh wait…
They could probably trade for him fairly easily at this point, Miami doesn’t like him at catcher and apparently doesn’t like his bat enough for DH either at the moment
Because he’s arguably the worst defensive catcher in baseball?
agreed, but he would just face leftys and platoon at dh. has to be better than what they are getting now
He actually doesn’t have to be better than that and might well not be.
“Putrid”?!? Lol, that’s harsh dude! You think his stats reek of rotten and decaying matter?!?
.166/.278/.255 is horrible. “Putrid” sums it up pretty well.
If you were to add his batting average to his OPS, it would still be bad.
This is the solution, Trashman? Come on. Do better!
I don’t think he really believes that. Perhaps he’s just seeing what they may have with Sanchez (as backup, trade, etc). Sanchez isn’t hitting at AAA, and he has reverse splits, so I doubt they view him as a solution – at least I really hope he doesn’t.
They shouldn’t skimp. Rutschman, if at all possible, Jeffers, or Carson Kelly.
Come on man … it’s one year at a time NYY never build for the future
Cashman .. go to the Rockies and get Goodman
Cashman … go to the Giants and get Chapman
If Judge makes it back this year you’ll be set up for the Big Run
Obviously not a make or break move, but it’s pretty funny the Yanks called up a reverse splits righty to solve their two lefties problem.
Forget this move. Let’s get serious. What will it take to bring in a Trout? Haha.
If you’re trying to catch trout based on the size of the fish you’re going after you’re going to need some big worms or one of those fancy jigs with all the bright colors
Give Sydney Sweeney the starting catcher job. That would solve the problem.
Swapping around backup catchers is the definition of a whatever move. It’s fine, but also totally irrelevant.
Gave up on Grichuk too soon. .
If I’m the Yanks I’d be looking at what BOS wants for Wong.
Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway tickets maybe
Wong stinks.. id rather take IKF back and make him a catcher again.. but with the right package what about adding a reliever maybe columbe slaten or whitlock ? Yankees get back up catcher and utilty guy and needed reliever.. also IKF could be a utility piece if the want to try and trade jazz for another piece.. with caballero volpe schulmann and ikf, jazz could go for a big need what ever that is. Yankees can always try to resign him if they want him back or make jazz a outfielder
Trade Doval and Cabrera to Rangers and bring back Higgy as righty hitting catcher.
Tom murphy i believe is still available as a veteran option at catcher. Having played with colorado and seattle being a .235 or so hitter may be something to look at as a back up or perhaps the yankees can make another trade with boston.. how about gil and a prospect not top 5 to boston for A reliever and isiah KF , KF becomes the back up catcher and yankees getva 7th inning arm. Bostons bullpen has been ok the beyter the prospect the better the pitcher.. would the red sox part with coloumbe, slaten or whitlock?
IKF talked Sh%t about the Yankees, let him stay right where he is……. In last place!
At least the Yankees don’t seem to have any interest in putting Rice behind the plate again. That would be a terribly short sided panic move if other than in an emergency he has to break out the catchers mitt again !!
Rice’s days as part of any catching rotation are over save an injury situation.
Wells just went on IL, so Escarra will be recalled.