Could Willson Contreras Displace Gary Sanchez?

One of the last remaining players of the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs is catcher Willson Contreras. Word on the street is that Brian Cashman is interested in bringing the 29-year-old catcher to the Bronx. Would that move displace Gary Sanchez or provide a platooning opportunity of catchers that would include the Yankees carrying three catchers during the 2022 season? 

According to SI.com, “Contreras, 29, isn’t perfect for the Yankees—he’s another right-handed bat that strikes out quite a bit—but he hits for power, plays solid defense behind the dish and has produced better numbers recently than Sánchez.”

Defense would be nice to have behind the plate for a change of pace. Sanchez just isn’t athletic and has given up his share of ball games because of his poor defense and appearingly lackadaisical performance behind the plate. Plus perhaps Contreras could ignite this team and provide assurance to Yankee pitchers who tend to prefer backup catcher Kyle Higashioka to Sanchez.

The Yankees will have to be prepared to give up some prospects for the veteran Cub catcher. “Weeks ago, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden created a trade proposal for New York to acquire Contreras, sending pitching prospects Deivi García and Yoendrys Gómez along with Sánchez to Chicago,” reported SI.com. I don’t think they will add Sanchez to a trade like that but instead keep him to DH and fill-in for Contreras if the Cub catcher can make things happen early.

Could this be the last stand for Sanchez? I really hope so. He has had more chances than anyone in the league and has not proven himself. He doesn’t hustle, he makes the team vulnerable and he can’t hit consistently. Time for the Yankees to make room for someone else and that someone else could be Contreras. 

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof