-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-2023-05-09T083416.464
(New York, NY) – The New York Post’s Joel Sherman is reporting the Mets have signed former Yankees All-Star Gary Sanchez to a minor league contract.
Sanchez, who played six seasons with the Yankees, was recently cut from the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A club after batting just .164 across 13 games, with no home runs, and eight runs driven in. The catcher/DH struck out 19 times in 55 at bats.
Sherman notes Sanchez is familiar to Mets’ GM Billy Eppler, who worked in the Yankees’ front office when the catcher was rising through the minors. Originally heralded for his slugging prowess, Sanchez ultimately struggled to overcome his defensive shortcomings, and his performance with the bat slipped as well.
After being traded to the Minnesota Twins prior to last season, he batted .205/.282/.377 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 128 games played. He became a free agent at the end of last year.
For the Mets, Sanchez likely represents depth at the minor league level. The major league club has top-ranked rookie prospect Francisco Alvarez at catcher, with the injured Omar Narváez expected back sometime this summer.
Tomas Nido is the team’s other catcher on the roster at present, and he has struggled so far this year – making him a possible candidate for replacement.
