Red Sox expressing interest in free agent catcher Gary Sanchez?
The Red Sox are a week into spring training but chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is still not content with his roster. The Red Sox are still looking at major league and minor league upgrades, per source.
One name that has recently been floated out as a possible fit for the Sox is Gary Sanchez. The former Yankee and Twins catcher remains unsigned as big league camps broke last week.
“Gary Sanchez, the starting catcher for the Dominican Republic in the WBC, still is a free agent. The Red Sox might have interest in him,” wrote Christoper Smith of MassLive.com.
It should be noted that the potential rumor from Smith was more a hypothetical. This article is exploring the idea of Sanchez.
Boston has Reese McGuire, Connor Wong and Jorge Alfaro competing for two roster spots. Alfaro will be heading to the World Baseball Classic in March. The two remaining catchers will have the opportunity to showcase why they should make the Opening Day roster.
The Red Sox don’t have to make a roster decision on Alfaro until June 1. Allowing the club time to evaluate his progression behind the dish and getting caught up to speed following the WBC.
Sanchez is an intriguing option for the Sox. The 30-year-old has tremendous power, but struggled since his best season which was in 2017.
The two-time All-Star hit .205 with 16 home runs in 128 games last year for the Twins. His power plays for the Red Sox lineup. The rest of his offensive stats fall short.
Last month, Sanchez’s agent, Francisco Marquez told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that whoever signs his client will benefit from his rebirth.
“The most important aspect of the 2022 season was that at the end of the season Gary was able to finally and completely shake off the emotional baggage he had acquired during his previous two seasons with the Yankees,” Marquez said. “Whoever gets Gary this offseason will benefit from the rebirth of the Kraken,” said Marquez.
The idea to add Sanchez strictly for his power potential is intriguing. However is 28.9 percent strikeout rate, 87 wRC+ and .659 OPS are all factors that’ll make it hard for him to land with the Red Sox.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
NOOOOOOOO!
NOOOOOOOOO!
No no no