Mets sign recently released SF Giants catcher to a minor-league deal
The New York Mets have signed veteran big-league catcher Gary Sánchez to a minor-league contract. The SF Giants signed Sánchez to a minor league deal in April but released him earlier this month after he exercised an opt-out in his contract. Sánchez would make a pro-rated $1.5 million salary if he reaches the majors with the Mets and has another $1.2 million in potential incentives. The NY Post's Joel Sherman was the first to report the agreement, while Sherman's colleague Jon Heyman reported the financial terms.
Twins catcher Gary Sánchez celebrates with teammates in the dugout. (2022)
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Sánchez was expected to force his way into the Giants' catching mix this season, but he struggled mightily at Triple-A, hitting .164/.319/.182 with 19 strikeouts in 69 plate appearances. Offseason acquisition Blake Sabol (Giants #33 prospect) and former second overall pick Joey Bart both held their own in the first month of the season. Moreover, catching prospect Ricardo Genovés has been solid this season at Triple-A and 2020 first-round pick Patrick Bailey received an early-season promotion to the highest level of the minors as well.
Sánchez was once a top young catcher in the majors with the New York Yankees. A consensus top-100 prospect in the minors, Sánchez exploded onto the scene as a rookie, hitting 20 home runs in just 53 games during his rookie season. Over the next three years, Sánchez racked up at least 30 home runs in a season twice, receiving two All-Star selections in the process.
The long-term effects of major shoulder surgery in 2018 alongside MLB's phasing out of the juiced ball took their toll on Sánchez's productivity over time. His defense behind the plate took a turn for the worst while his standout power began to dissipate. Over the past three seasons, Sánchez hit just .195/.287/.394 with roughly 20 home runs per season (adjusting for the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign).
Sánchez is considered to be a subpar defensive backstop, but most publicly available defensive metrics have evaluated him surprisingly positively in recent years. Last season, he recorded his first positive framing metrics since 2018, the best-passed ball rate and fielding percentage of his career while throwing out a respectable 28% of opposing base stealers with the Twins.
The Mets current catching situation features a tandem of top prospect Francisco Álvarez and glove-first backup Tomás Nido. Álvarez is only 21 and has excellent offensive potential, but he's gotten off to a slow start this season and has a .220/.264/.320 triple-slash. If Gary Sánchez can bounce back at Triple-A, the Mets could quickly call him up to take Álvarez's spot and give the young backstop a chance to develop further in the minors.
