Brian Cashman has a decision to make. It’s the same one he was faced with last year. Does he non-tender catcher Gary Sanchez and let him walk as a free agent?
The New York Yankees general manager has until Wednesday to make that decision. Sanchez, who’s eligible for arbitration, would hit the open market if he is not tendered a contract by the Yankees.
No one would be surprised if the Yankees move on from Sanchez. Yes, the 28-year-old is a two-time All-Star, but he’s coming off his third straight subpar season which saw him struggle behind the plate and in the batter’s box.
If the Yankees are ready to say enough’s enough, their options for a new starting catcher are limited. Kyle Higashioka hasn’t shown the ability to be an everyday player. Yes, the Yankees have several promising catchers down on the farm (including Austin Wells, the No. 6 prospect in the organization), but no one will be ready to make the leap to the majors in 2022.
With that said, here’s what The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal sees when it comes to Sanchez and the catcher market for the Yankees.
The Athletics’ Sean Murphy and Pirates’ Jacob Stallings are among the catchers available in trade, and the Cubs’ Willson Contreras might be, too, if he does not agree to a contract extension. Among the remaining free agents, Yan Gomes, 34, and Roberto Pérez, who turns 33 on Dec. 23, are perhaps the leading options. The shortage of quality catching might prompt the Yankees to again offer a contract to Gary Sánchez, who is projected to earn $7.9 million in arbitration. A trade for say, Stallings, could lead to a non-tender of Sánchez, who then would be a strong candidate to join the exodus of former Yankees to the Marlins.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports “Teams are coming after Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings, a defensive stalwart. Marlins and Yankees would fit. NYY has to decide by (Tuesday) whether to tender Gary Sanchez a contract.”
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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