Padres News: Gary Sanchez is On a Tear Through First Seven Games

Is he the missing piece?

It's no secret that the San Diego Padres offense has been their biggest weakness thus far through the new 2023 season. However, they may have gotten a spark from an unlikely and unexpected source. After taking a flier on former New York Yankees catcher, Gary Sanchez, he has provided some hope for this team.

Through seven games, Sanchez already has three home runs, six runs batted in and is posting a slash line of .286/.348/.714. Surely when the Padres claimed him off waivers, they didn't expect this but they will gladly take the production. 

San Diego had been ranked dead last in catcher WAR when they claimed Sanchez and he has impressed since his arrival. 

“The talent level is still there. He’s not an old guy, by any stretch. This one, hopefully, is a really great pickup for us. Has been so far.”

-Padres manager Bob Melvin on Sanchez via MLB.com

The luxury that the Padres have is that Sanchez doesn't need to be an All-Star level player due to the already stacked talent in the clubhouse. He doesn't need to be "the guy" whatsoever. But if he is just himself, surrounded by everyone else and contributes then Sanchez may have found a home. 

Gary Sánchez with his third homer in a Padre uniform already!

pic.twitter.com/VUqcobxsRb

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 6, 2023

The two-time All-Star still has some pop in his bat and is reclaiming his career after some down years. This low-risk signing by the Padres could be the start of them turning around their season and finally playing like the team that many believed they would be.