MLB Rumors: Free Agent Gary Sanchez Has Interest From AL West Team

He's only been a free agent again for one day and already at least one team in need of a catcher is rumored to be interested in former New York Yankee All-Star Gary Sanchez.

Angels are among teams with interest in Gary Sanchez. Their promising catcher Logan O’Hoppe, off to a big start, is out with a shoulder injury. Manager Phil Nevin and hitting coach Marcus Thames know Sanchez well from his Yankees days.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 4, 2023

According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, the Los Angeles Angels could be in line to give the beleaguered backstop a shot. It makes a lot of sense, as their top catching prospect, Logan O'Hoppe, could be out for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. O'Hoppe was off to a tremendous start for the Angels, with four homers, 13 RBIs and an .886 OPS in just 16 games before the injury.

Sanchez's numbers in recent times aren't quite so shiny. In Triple-A this season on a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants, Sanchez hit just 1.64 with zero homers in 16 games. The Giants decided to release him from his contract this week. 

The former Yankees All-Star (2017, 2019) has fallen on tough times in recent years, unable to stay much above the Mendoza Line, batting just .205 for the Minnesota Twins last year, and .204 and .147 in the preceding two seasons. 

But somewhere in there, if he can find it, is a 30+ bomb-hitting bat. Angels manager Phil Nevin and hitting coach Marcus Thames are both familiar with that All-Star bat from their days together with the Bronx Bombers; they just might be the team to give him a shot. 

 Photo: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports