As general manager Brian Cashman said after the World Series concluded, the New York Yankees would be reevaluating the catcher position. With Gary Sanchez seeing a decrease in efficiency and production, the Yankees have been forced to consider alternative players to replace him.
That is where future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina comes into play. Molina, who is 38 years old, had an unspectacular season with the St. Louis Cardinals this past year. St. Louis is the only team he’s ever played for, but he is still one of the best catchers when it comes to framing pitches. He finished a 2020 campaign with a .262 average, including four homers and 16 RBIs. He’s not a slugger by any means, but he doesn’t strike out very often, and he gets on base a decent amount.
At this point in his career, Molina doesn’t offer any flashy strengths but is a solid stopgap for the Yankees if they want to bring in a reasonably priced starting catcher. However, the Yankees are expected to tender a contract to Gary Sanchez and retain him for at least one more season. His 2020 campaign was tumultuous, at best, and offering him one final chance to regain his 2017 form is justifiable.
Sanchez’s struggles continue to mount:
Sanchez has seen his strikeout rate balloon to 36%, a 13% increase from 2017, while his walks also saw a slight increase. However, his average was awful, and the Yankees simply cannot trust him defensively. While I don’t think Kyle Higashioka is a starting level catcher, he has become Gerrit Cole’s personal catcher and a solid back up.
So that puts the team in a tough situation, as they don’t have a sure-fire catcher who can play on an everyday basis at at least an average level. Sanchez may offer success in the home run category, but it simply isn’t strong enough to make up for his deficiencies.
Can the New York Yankees trust Luis Severino behind Gerrit Cole?
Moving onto the starting rotation, the Yankees aren’t expected to gain back Severino until just after opening day. He underwent Tommy John surgery during spring training and missed the entire 2020 campaign.
The last full season we saw from Severino was back in 2018 when he finished with a 3.39 ERA and struck out 10.35 batters per nine innings. If he can return to his former self, the Yankees will be in great shape, but missing two full seasons will undoubtedly take its toll on the 26-year-old starter.
I don’t believe the Yankees can rely on Severino to be his former self, especially after two major surgeries. They have to go out and sign a solid number two, whom they can slide in behind Cole, just in case Severino needs to work his way through the rotation.
It could take more than a half a season for him to be at full strength, and the Yankees simply don’t have the time or luxury to wager their season on his future performances.