UPDATE: Ex Yankees Catcher Is a Potential Choice for the NL Central Team

According to Robert Murray on Foul Territory, the Pittsburgh Pirates are considering former New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez. The 31-year-old Sanchez hit 19 home runs in his final season with the San Diego Padres in 2023.

If the Pirates sign a catcher, it will relieve pressure on Henry Davis, their top prospect who makes his big league debut in 2023. That could be beneficial to the 24-year-old’s development. His limited experience playing behind the plate in just two games raised concerns about his defensive prowess.

Murray predicts that after everything is said and done, Sanchez will be worth about $5 million.

If teams don’t think he can deliver value akin to what he produced with the Padres, that number may frighten them away. Sanchez’s catch of Blake Snell helped him win a Cy Young award, which might help the two-time All-Star stand apart.

He had the ability to hit thirty or more home runs while he was a member of the Yankees. In 2017, he had his greatest season yet, hitting 33 home runs and slashing.278/.345/.531.

That season, Sanchez not only made his first-ever All-Star team but also won his lone Silver Slugger.

His stay in New York did not come to an end as many had hoped.

His play began to irritate fans, and the front office made the decision that it was time to relocate him. In exchange for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Sanchez sold himself and Gio Urshela to the Minnesota Twins.

Since the Yankees transferred him, he has been linked to other organizations, and it appears that he is courting someone else.