The San Francisco Giants made news on Friday afternoon, as the team made a move for a two-time MLB All-Star.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Friday that free-agent catcher Gary Sanchez was in agreement with the Giants on a minor-league contract, pending a physical. According to the MLB insider, Sanchez will report initially to the team’s spring training site in Scottsdale, Arizona, before joining one of the organization’s minor league affiliates. Sanchez can opt out of his deal with the Giants if he is not promoted to the major league roster by May 1.
Free-agent catcher Gary Sánchez in agreement with Giants on minor-league contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Will report initially to team’s spring-training home in Scottsdale, then join a minor-league affiliate. Can opt out if not promoted to majors by May 1.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 31, 2023
The news comes as the Giants are in New York to open up their season. The Giants opened up their season with a 5-0 loss to the Yankees on Thursday. San Francisco traveled north with three catchers — Joey Bart, Roberto Perez and Blake Sabol — on its Opening Day roster. Sanchez, not known for his defense, could give the Giants another option at Designated Hitter, though Joc Pederson started there on Thursday. Additionally, he’s only played a handful of games at first base during his eight seasons in the MLB.
The 8-year MLB veteran spent most of his time with the New York Yankees before being traded to the Minnesota Twins ahead of last season. Sanchez hit .205/.282/.377 with 16 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .659 OPS in 128 games in 2022. Surprisingly, Sanchez did not have much of a market in free agency, as the former All-Star had to settle for a minor-league deal. For his career, Sanchez has a .225/.311/.467 with a .778 OPS and 154 home runs. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2016, was named an AL All-Star in 2017 and 2019 and also won a Silver Slugger in ’17.