Yankees: Does Tucker Barnhart trade mean Gary Sanchez is staying?

The New York Yankees won’t be able to get Tucker Barnhart. Does that mean Gary Sanchez will be around for a little while longer?

With the Detroit Tigers acquiring former Gold Glove winning catcher Tucker Barnhart from the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Yankees might be forced to trust Gary Sanchez behind the plate for the foreseeable future.

As the Yankees enter free agency following yet another season in which they were eliminated before making it to the World Series, many New York fans were hopeful that the offseason could potentially provide some major upgrades at a few different positions.

Catcher was one position some thought New York would find a potential upgrade. Unfortunately for New York and its fans, the Yankees won’t be acquiring Barnhart. The Tigers were able to win that sweepstakes.

So, what can New York do now?

New York Yankees stuck with Gary Sanchez

There aren’t many other great options that are easily available for the Yankees. The easiest solution for New York might just be to trust Sanchez.

Sanchez has been with New York for seven seasons now. At 28 years old, he likely has several years left where he could be a serviceable option behind the plate at the MLB level. That said, his bat and inability to consistently be a threat while he’s up to bat makes him less than desirable for many.

Sanchez’s biggest flaw is behind the plate, where his pitch-framing and ability to throw out runners is constantly in question. Barnhart would’ve provided some level of consistency defensively, at the very least.

His slash line of .204/.307/.423 was an improvement over an abysmal 2020, but it’s hardly what the Yankees came to expect from Sanchez at his All-Star level peak in 2019.