New York Yankees: Management Offers Unclear Support for Gary Sanchez
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman offered confusing support for Gary Sanchez’s future during a press conference on Wednesday.
Just a few seasons ago, New York Yankees‘ management and fans alike offered remarkable confidence in Gary Sanchez as the longtime catcher for the Bronx Bombers. Sanchez was the present and the future. A strong-armed catcher with the proven ability to hit 30 or 40 home runs at the plate every single year.
After a historically bad year in 2020, that confidence has nearly completely wavered.
Sanchez endured monumental struggles at the plate this past season. Throughout the regular season, Sanchez hit .147 with an OBP of .253 in 156 at-bats. Of course, Sanchez managed to clobber 10 home runs, almost half of his 23 hits.
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The two-time All-Star struggled so mightily in 2020 that backup catcher Kyle Higashioka started five of the Yankees’ seven postseason games. Ultimately, the Yankees were eliminated in five games in the ALDS by the Tampa Bay Rays.
New York held a press conference on Wednesday in which the management only offered unclear support for Sanchez’s future as the Yankees starting catcher.
Manager Aaron Boone offered the highest praise for his catcher during his press conference. According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, Boone was quoted generally about the Yankees catching situation.
“I feel like right now, we have in Gary and Higgy, two really quality major-league catchers and I do still feel in Gary’s case I do feel like his ceiling is really, really special,” said Boone.
Boone continued, remarking his high confidence in Sanchez’s abilities.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman took the podium after Boone during Wednesday’s press conference. His support for Sanchez was questionable, at best. When asked, Cashman declared it was a “fair question” if Sanchez would be starting behind the plate in 2021.
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The media rumors have already begun to swirl around the future of the New York Yankees catcher position. Notably, J.T. Realmuto hits free agency this offseason. Realmuto, a two-time All-Star and career- .278 hitter, is highly regarded as a potential option to solve the Yankees offensive struggles at catcher.