New York Yankees: A cheap, quality catcher became available after the non-tender deadline

The New York Yankees decided to tender Gary Sanchez a contract before Wednesday’s deadline. The former All-Star catcher will earn around $5 million as an arbitration-eligible player, but he will have to improve on his 69 wRC+ and 36 percent strikeout rate if he wants to be considered as the starter going forward.

Last season, his struggles were so bad that Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone decided to bench him in favor of Kyle Higashioka, a 55 wRC+ batter. Higgy’s defense and blocking ability are superior to Sanchez’s.

However, Sanchez appears to have a future with the New York Yankees. He could still get traded, and things could get really ugly once both parties sit down to negotiate his contract for the 2021 season.

The Yankees could take a look at Curt Casali

For now, the Yankees seem committed to try and save him, both in the plate and behind it. But if the team wants to explore other cheap options capable of playing backstop, the Cincinnati Reds let Curt Casali go after the non-tender deadline.

Casali is a second-time arbitration-eligible player that, according to MLB Trade Rumors estimates, is slated to make around $2 million next season. The Reds elected to let him go instead of paying him that money.

But the Yankees are not the Reds, and Casali offers a league-average bat (career 95 wRC+) and above-average defense. He could be a sneaky good addition to the Bombers, and could play more than an average backup.

Casali is a 32-year-old veteran who produced last season for the Reds, hitting six homers with a .866 OPS over 93 plate appearances. He’s also good behind the plate (12 career defensive runs saved while being in the 78th percentile in framing in 2020.)

All in all, the Yankees should be interested in Casali since he is cheap and a decent offensive and defensive catcher. Will they make a run at him? Or will they bet all their chips to the Sanchez – Higashioka pairing?