The San Francisco Giants have signed former All-Star catcher Gary Sánchez to a minor-league deal. This move comes after the Giants had a four-way competition for the catching position during spring training, but no clear pecking order was established.
What You Need to Know About Gary Sánchez
Sánchez signed a one-year minor-league contract and is pending a physical exam. He would make a prorated $4 million salary for time spent in the big leagues. Sánchez won a Silver Slugger award and made a pair of All-Star teams in his six seasons with the Yankees. However, after 2019, Sánchez’s career went off the rails, and he never lived up to his immense billing in New York.
Despite that, the Giants made positive evaluations of Sánchez’s arm strength and throwing ability. His right-handed hitting profile is similar to Joey Bart’s except with a smidge more reliable contact and a longer track record.
The move buys the Giants another month to evaluate their catchers, and there are questions about all of them. Giants President Farhan Zaidi acknowledged that there were times he felt like the situation was unfair to Bart, whom they want to force his way higher up in the order and establish himself as a primary catcher.
Beaty Joins Giants as Depth Player
In addition to signing Sanchez, the Giants also acquired first baseman/outfielder Matt Beaty from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. Beaty gives the Giants a left-handed-hitting depth player to replace outfielder Luis González, who is out until at least the All-Star break after undergoing lower back surgery.
Beaty has a minor-league option and can be shuttled between the big leagues and Sacramento as roster needs warrant from series to series.
Bryce Johnson’s Promotion Still Under Consideration
The Giants are still considering when to add outfielder Bryce Johnson to the roster. Johnson can be promoted whenever they wish on this season-opening trip to New York and Chicago. However, Johnson had been outrighted off the 40-man roster in November, and players who are outrighted a second time can elect free agency. The Giants reserved one move to open that 40-man spot.
Sánchez Signs with Giants After Being Unsigned in Offseason
During the offseason, Gary Sanchez was working out in old New York gear and remained unsigned, causing fans to speculate on potential destinations for him. The Yankees had moved on from Sanchez and focused on defense-first catchers like Jose Trevino. Most teams were set at catcher, but the Giants ended up signing Sanchez after clogging their big-league backup spot with Roberto Pérez and starting him over top prospect Joey Bart on Opening Day.
Sánchez’s minor-league deal with the Giants allows him to leave again if he’s not promoted by May 1. The Yankees no longer have to worry about Sanchez as he is now employed by the Giants.
Giants Want Catching Depth
Sanchez’s signing comes as the Giants try to address an unsettled catching situation at the big league level. The team wants to have as much catching depth as possible, and Sanchez joins Bart, Pérez, Blake Sabol, and Austin Wynns as MLB-quality catchers for the Giants.
In conclusion, the San Francisco Giants have acquired Gary Sánchez on a minor-league deal, which gives them another month to evaluate their catchers. In addition, they have added Matt Beaty as a depth player and are still considering when to add outfielder Bryce Johnson to the roster. With an uncertain catching situation at the big league level, the Giants hope that Sánchez will be able to resurrect his career with them after struggling with the Yankees in recent years.
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