The Yankees have voiced their belief that Gary Sánchez swung the bat better than his numbers indicated throughout the most frustrating season of his professional career. They are banking that the big-swinging catcher will prove them right.
Sánchez was among the players with fewer than six years of service time who were tendered contracts for the 2021 season ahead of Wednesday’s 8 p.m. ET deadline. The Yankees announced that they agreed to terms on contracts with right-handers Luis Cessa and Ben Heller, avoiding arbitration, and they have non-tendered right-hander Jonathan Holder.
The Yankees’ other arbitration-eligible players are outfielder Aaron Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela, first baseman Luke Voit, right-hander Chad Green, infielder Gleyber Torres, outfielder Clint Frazier, infielder Miguel Andújar and left-hander Jordan Montgomery. All will have the opportunity to negotiate new deals with the Yankees prior to Spring Training.
Sánchez, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Wednesday, is expected to receive a raise over the $5 million he would have earned in a typical 162-game season in 2020. Sánchez owned the lowest batting average of any Major Leaguer to hit 10 or more home runs in ’20, posting a .147/.253/.365 slash line (69 OPS+) with 24 RBIs in 49 games.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].