Padres News: San Diego Signs Veteran Catcher Gary Sanchez

Friars bolster their catcher position

It was no secret that the weakest part of the San Diego Padres team in 2023 was their catcher's position. They were getting no production on a consistent basis from there, so they bolstered their catcher's position today. 

According to Padres insider Kevin Acee, the Friars have signed two-time All-star and former silver slugger Gary Sanchez. 

The Padres have signed catcher Gary Sanchez, as @Miriamluzzzz reported.
He was DFAd by the Mets on Thursday.

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) May 29, 2023

As Kevin mentioned above, Sanchez was waived by the New York Mets last week after only appearing in only three games and six ABs. Gary slashed .167/.143/.167 with a .310 OPS in an extremely limited role. 

At one point in his career, Gary was known as one of the top catchers in the game, but that was a while ago. He was last an All-Star in 2019 with the New York Yankees, where he slugged .525 with a .841 OPS. 

Although he hasn't had the same production in the past three seasons, he's still only 30 years old. When and if he can get it right, he can bring the power the Padres have lacked from the catcher's spot for some time. 

We'll see if he can figure it out with the Friars, and we're excited to see him behind the plate.