Catcher Gary Sanchez has been declining for a few years now.
His highest batting average output in the last three years is .205 (2022), and he has had an OPS below .700 in two of the last three seasons.
He has surpassed the .800 OPS mark in 2016, 2017, and 2019.
Strikeout issues, suspect defense behind the plate, and overall inconsistent play combined to make it really difficult for him to find a deal he liked.
The San Francisco Giants, however, are signing him to a minor league deal with a clause that says that if he isn’t up by May 1, he can test the market again.
First, Sanchez will report to the Giants’ spring-training home in Scottsdale, then join a minor league affiliate.
Fans obviously reacted to Sanchez’s signing with the Giants.
Some of them reminded the world of the Giants’ failed business ventures this offseason, where they couldn’t sign Aaron Judge and nixed a Carlos Correa contract.
BREAKING: Giants trade Carlos Correa and Aaron Judge for Gary Sanchez
— Burgers and Dogs (@BurgersAndDogss) March 31, 2023
So the San Francisco Giants signed Gary Sanchez. They’re sure having a real rough go of things lately. pic.twitter.com/rIj3lMuaVu
—Mike Near Tampa (@mzxeternal) March 31, 2023
It’s okay to feel happy for the guy, though, who was one of MLB’s most exciting sluggers from 2016 to 2019.
Good to see Gary Sanchez getting a chance to make another roster. Hope it works out for him. https://t.co/CyEL8ITu00
—Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) March 31, 2023
Go Gary Sanchez!
—Neil Keefe (@NeilKeefe) March 31, 2023
Sanchez has a career .778 OPS and 154 home runs.
He can be salvaged, or at least a useful version of him.
He is still just 30, theoretically in the prime of his career.
The Giants do need to understand that he hasn’t been an offensive asset in a while, and it will take some work to get him going.
This is a low-risk signing, but one with a nice potential reward.
If all the parties involved are patient, this could end up being a bargain.
NEXT:
MLB Insider Reveals Gary Sanchez’s New Team
