Giants Sign Catcher Gary Sanchez to Minor League Deal, per Report

He’ll get a fresh start within San Fransisco’s organization.

The Giants have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with free-agent catcher Gary Sánchez, per a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on Friday.

The deal allows the former Yankees All-Star to opt out of the deal if he’s not on the major league roster by May 1. In the interim, Sánchez will head to San Francisco’s spring-training center in Scottsdale, Ariz. prior to joining a minor-league affiliate.

Sánchez, spent the 2022 season with the Twins after being acquired in the deal from the Yankees with Gio Urshela in exchange for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt. 

The deal, which centered around Donaldson and Sánchez, failed to return what Minnesota was envisioning. The Twins were hoping a change of scenery would help Sánchez return to his rookie season form when he hit 20 homers with 42 RBIs in just 53 games back in 2016.

Free-agent catcher Gary Sánchez in agreement with Giants on minor-league contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Will report initially to team’s spring-training home in Scottsdale, then join a minor-league affiliate. Can opt out if not promoted to majors by May 1.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 31, 2023

Last season with Minnesota, Sánchez hit 16 home runs with 61 RBIs. However, his .205 batting average was once again a cause for concern as the hard-hitting catcher continued his struggles with the bat, extending his streak of futility at the plate. The 30-year-old talent has failed to hit higher than .234 in each of his last five seasons.