Yankees urged to reunite with two-time All-Star to 'challenge' Austin Wells

Looking back on the era of the "Baby Bombers" with the New York Yankees, the first names that come to mind are probably Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, and Gary Sanchez. 

Sanchez was a standout power hitter at the plate but struggled defensively at catcher, despite having a quick pop time and a rocket for an arm. 

He hit 138 home runs during his seven seasons with the Yankees from 2015-21, and has bounced around the league since then, making stops in Minnesota, San Diego, Milwaukee, and Baltimore. Sanchez also had a three-game stint with the New York Mets in 2023. 

Now 33, Sanchez is a free agent after a 29-game year with the Orioles in 2025. He suffered a season-ending right knee sprain in July. 

Should the Yankees sign Sanchez? 

The Yankees should be in the market for a right-handed-hitting backup catcher, especially if they decide to trade J.C. Escarra. 

Joseph Randazzo of Sports Illustrated believes signing Sanchez would present Austin Wells with a challenge to become a better overall player. 

"The thing about finding a proper backup is that they should also consider how underwhelming Austin Wells turned out to be in the 2025 season," Randazzo wrote Thursday. "A good backup should not only take reps in the prototypical day-game-after-night-game situation, but also challenge Wells, making him feel like he could be replaced at any moment, as the team did with him last summer when Ben Rice got reps at catcher." 

At this point in his career, Sanchez may not be a better player than Wells is. But he still has enough pop in his bat and the experience in the AL East to handle a pitching staff. Blake Snell gave props to Sanchez for helping him win the Cy Young in 2023 with the Padres. 

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