{"id":5176,"date":"2023-05-19T04:29:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T11:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=5176"},"modified":"2023-05-19T04:29:55","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T11:29:55","slug":"sanchez-returns-to-big-apple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/05\/19\/sanchez-returns-to-big-apple\/","title":{"rendered":"Sanchez Returns to Big Apple"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long time New York Yankees<\/a> catcher Gary Sanchez<\/a><\/strong> is back in New York, only now in Queens instead of the Bronx. The New York Mets<\/a> have called Sanchez up after injuries to Omar Narvaez<\/strong><\/a> and Tomas Nido<\/strong><\/a>. Top prospect Francisco Alvarez<\/a><\/strong> was also called up earlier this season, but has been struggling with a .218 average. A corresponding move has not been announced.<\/p>\n

Sanchez on the Move<\/h4>\n

Sanchez signed with the Mets on a minor league deal on May 9 after opting out of a deal with the San Francisco Giant<\/a>s. He started his baseball career as a key member of the Yankees, making two All Star appearances. He started declining, and the Bronx Bombers traded Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins<\/a> in 2021 for Josh Donaldson<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 In 128 games for the Twins, Sanchez posted a slash line of .205\/.282\/.377, with 16 home runs and 61 RBI.<\/p>\n

The Twins declined to sign him after the 2022 season. He signed a minor league deal with the Giants, and played 16 games for their AAA team before opting out. In his career, Gary Sanchez is batting .225 with 154 career home runs and 401 RBI in eight seasons. His best season was in 2017 with the Yankees when he hit .278 with 33 home runs and drove in 90 runs. Injuries and inconsistency have dogged him in the years since.<\/p>\n

Mets Struggling after Spending Spree<\/h4>\n

The Mets have been struggling this season as they currently sit in third place in the National League East behind the Atlanta Braves<\/a>. This offseason the Mets spent almost $500 million on free agents in order to compete in the NL East. They extended fan favorite Brandon Nimmo<\/strong><\/a> for eight years and $162 million. They also re-signed closer Edwin Diaz<\/strong><\/a> for five years, and $102 million. Diaz is currently out for the season with an injury. The Mets also brought in free agent multi Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander<\/a><\/strong> for two seasons, and $86 million.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>