Red Sox Lose Catcher To Yankees In Free Agency

The Boston Red Sox have been very busy this offseason, and they may have to look into adding more depth in the minor leagues.

On Dec. 17, the Red Sox lost Ali Sánchez to the New York Yankees on a minor league deal. Sánchez elected free agency from the Red Sox on Oct. 6. Sánchez played in just four games for Boston last season, but he posted solid numbers in Triple-A. He could have been a solid player for them to re-sign.

Sánchez was not going to move the needle for the Red Sox. However, he could’ve filled in if injuries piled up. However, the Yankees decided to sign him and likely stash him in Triple-A, where he was assigned.

Sánchez started the season with the Toronto Blue Jays. While he spent most of his time in Triple-A, the Blue Jays did call him up twice. He was designated for assignment after both stints, but after the second time, he was claimed by the Red Sox on waivers.

After just one game with the Red Sox, he was designated for assignment and elected free agency over an outright assignment to Worcester. The Mets signed him and traded him back to the Red Sox on Aug. 31. He played three more games for Boston.

He hit just .217 in the big leagues last season. However, he posted a .279/.347/.419 slash line with six home runs for the Blue Jays in Triple-A. He has decent numbers at the plate, but has not found much success in the big leagues.

Between the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Blue Jays and Red Sox, he has played in 50 big league games.

Losing Sánchez is not a huge deal, but Boston may need to start thinking about organizational depth. They have lost some depth in trades to land stars, and may start making more minor league signings.