Yankees news/rumors: Aaron Boone fires back in Gary Sanchez’s defense, Luke Voit trade floated

November 25, 2020
New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez
Jun 6, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Gary Sanchez (24) reacts after hitting a double against Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret that New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez struggled during the 2020 season, considering he finished with a .147 batting average and struck out 36% of the time over 178 plate appearances. He did manage to hit 10 homers and recorded 24 RBIs, but those two statistics don’t eradicate his deficiencies.

Offensively, he was a liability when it came to purely making contact, recording the first negative WAR of his entire career. Defensively, he was lackluster, losing the starting job to Kyle Higashioka late during the campaign. Ace Gerrit Cole also prefers Higgy as his personal catcher over Sanchez, who has trouble framing pitches and blocking balls in the dirt.

Sanchez finished the season with five past balls and five errors over 41 games, indicating another drop-off in his defense efficiency. However, manager Aaron Boone felt the need to fire back at haters, who have unfairly criticized him despite his degrading performances.

Aaron Boone fired back at Gary Sanchez haters, stating:

“I think he’s been unfairly criticized a lot,” Boone told the YES Network. “I think at times it’s over the top and people are blinded by some of the things that he’s done really well. This year was certainly a challenging year for him and a struggle for him in a lot of ways, but that’s okay.”

The New York Yankees could sell high on Luke Voit:

Voit had his best season in the MLB this past year, finishing with a .277 average, 22 homers, and 52 RBIs over 56 games. He led the entire league in home runs and recorded more this past season than he did in 2019 with an additional 300 PAs.

With two solid seasons under his belt, the consensus is that Voit is a consistent player who can hit home runs at an extravagant rate and provide value defensively. He’s not the best defensive player by any means, but he saw a significant step forward in his efficiency this past season, despite allowing three errors.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com suggested that Voit being traded is more hearsay:

That has been suggested in a few media reports, proposing that the Yankees could cash in on a breakout season in which Luke Voit led the Majors in home runs to obtain a starting pitcher. At this point, that idea does not seem to have generated real traction in the front office. Those around the team believe that Voit’s 2020 performance was real and can be replicated in ’21 and beyond, especially his power and ability to drive the ball to all fields.

Voit himself even suggested that armchair GMs will continue to float names:

 

“It’s part of it; everyone’s name is going to be thrown around,’’ Voit said. “Everyone is a GM, and everyone wants to talk baseball somehow and make the perfect trade. You don’t know what is going to happen.’’

Voit nailed it with this one, there are plenty of rumors that will be floated during the hot stove months, but selling high on him now would guarantee a luxurious return for the Yankees, who didn’t give up too much to get him.
However, giving away infielders before signing DJ LeMahieu to a new contract would be foolish. I fully anticipate Luke being a focal point for them on both sides of the ball moving forward, but the rumor holds some truth, his value is at an all-time high.
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