New York Yankees: How will Boone handle Sanchez’s defense?
Gary Sanchez proved that his dominance in 2016 with New York Yankees was no fluke, as he hit well last season. However, his defense was an issue last year. If it continues to linger on the field, what will Aaron Boone do to resolve it?
Up to this point, the New York Yankees have posed any problems for manager Aaron Boone — but there are several issues that will rise throughout the year.
One is how to handle Gary Sanchez’s defense.
Joe Girardi voiced his frustration after games, threatening to bench the catcher if he didn’t improve. Sanchez acknowledged the remarks, and he still uses it to motivate him in the new year.
The 25-year-old allowed more passed balls than any other catcher in the league last year. He also ranked second in wild pitches with 53. While a runner didn’t advance every time a ball reached the backstop, that’s how fans and coaches might approach it.
Gary Sanchez on Joe Girardi's criticisms of his defense last year: "Looking back at all the things that Girardi said, I feel that all that stuff was to help me be better, and at the end of the year I thought he helped me get better."
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 13, 2018
That’s a boatload of potential runs waiting to cross home plate. Nevertheless, Sanchez improved somewhat in the final few months of the season. But at the end of the season, he still boasted a negative defensive run saved for New York, which is inauspicious.
It comes down to his positioning and reaction ability. His arm is potent, and he gunned down 23 runners last season in 60 stolen-base attempts. That was good for fifth-best in the American League percentage-wise.
However, if Sanchez continues to struggle defensively, what should the Yankees – and Boone – do?
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Clearly, Sanchez’s bat does more talking than his glove. He boosted his popular meteorically in 2016, clobbering 20 home runs in 229 plate appearances. And he provided an encore last year – not insane-like numbers though – when he swatted 33 bombs for the Yankees.
Unless his glove acts more like a sieve on a daily basis, he will still be behind the plate nearly every game. Austin Romine, who fared decently at times last season, remains the most notable backup. Yet his defense wasn’t much better.
Kyle Higashioka could challenge Romine for New York’s backup spot, but that will be decided over the next month. Either way, the pressure sits with Sanchez mostly because he is the primary producer for the team’s potent offense.
Therefore, Boone doesn’t have many options. He has to keep the Dominican in most of the time. And other than the typical days of the Yankees will give him, Sanchez will be geared up.
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Still, Boone has to act in some way if the defense becomes more worrisome. Sanchez noted that his new build would help him keep balls in front of him.
Yankees fans hope that’s true. Runs are at stake – almost – every time balls get passed him.