Dominican catcher Gary Sánchez was once seen as a vital part of the Yankees future during the mid-to-late 2010s, as he was part of the ‘Baby Bombers’ alongside Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andújar, Gary Sánchez, and Luis Severino. However, most of this core’s Yankees career derailed, with only Judge and Torres still on the team.
In Sanchez’s case, he was heavily criticized for his defensive blunders as a catcher. Despite having a powerful bat and undeniable skills, his last years as a Yankee were not pleasant for the Kraken, who finally got his way out of the Bronx in the now-infamous trade that saw him being sent to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Yankees, amongst other players involved.
Life after the Yankees for Gary Sánchez
Two years removed from that trade, Gary Sánchez is now with the Milwaukee Brewers and recently spoke with the media ahead of his team’s series vs. the Yankees. He certainly remembered the pressure of being a Yankee, saying that every regular season game ‘feels like playoffs,’ per Greg Joyce of The New York Post.
There’s always good memories with the Yankees. The playoffs are ones you certainly always remember, but with the Yankees, it felt like you played 162 playoff games there. Every game, you’re out there to win and you feel it. You feel everyone’s out there trying to accomplish the same mission. It really does feel like 162 playoff games there.
Gary Sánchez
Since leaving the Yankees, Gary Sánchez is batting for .209/.281/.421 with a 96 OPS+ and 36 home runs, serving mainly as a back-up catcher and part-time designated hitter, playing for the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and now the Milwaukee Brewers.