The Tigers have agreed to a minor-league deal with backstop Hector Sanchez, according to Venezuelan journalist Ignacio Serrano (Twitter link). The contract comes with an invitation to MLB Spring Training.
Now 29 years of age, Sanchez had appeared in seven consecutive major-league campaigns before failing to earn a nod last year. Though he showed early promise, he owns only a .238/.273/.367 batting line at the game’s highest level. It’s fair to note that he’s a .267/.330/.438 hitter through eight hundred career plate appearances at Triple-A.
Sanchez had returned last year to the Giants, his original professional organization and the place he broke into the majors. Things didn’t work out, however, and he was given his release just two months into the season. Now, Sanchez will try to get back on track with a Detroit organization that has a somewhat unsettled catching situation after dropping James McCann earlier in the winter. John Hicks is the most established player on the roster, while newcomer Grayson Greiner is seen as a possible long-term piece. Sanchez joins veteran Bobby Wilson as non-roster competition and veteran depth.
Surprise Tigers drop McCann, still so young and almost great glove. Sanchez does not have upside much, hopefully he has leader qualities to help staff take steps forward.
Can he call a good game? What stat shows that?
He’s just depth. Unless he has a great spring he’ll start the season in the minors and the tigers will have greiner wilson and Hicks in the majors. McCann was good defensively but really hadn’t shown anything offensively so not much point in keeping him when they’re rebuilding
he’s called at least 2 no hitters, so that is a thing
I can’t recall when, and I can’t find it thru researching when McCann called a no-hitter. When did those occur? Also, he has a cannon for an arm, but he is average at best with the glove, and contributes near nothing offensively.
Pretty sure he was referring to Sanchez.
Sanchez called the no-no’s with the Giants.
Sanchez called Timmy’s no-no in ‘14. But that’s the only one.
He almost called Petit’s Perfect game in’15, up until 2 out in the 9th.
Great idea! How many no hitters called! Sanchez might just turn out to be a steal. Maybe like when Avila had that surprise bounce back and turned into a great flip.
Solid. One of my favorite Giants players.
With this Tiger team… he might be batting cleanup. We are going all in on that #1 pick.
He actually batted cleanup for the Padres for a few games I think lol. He’s not too great of a defender, but when he was with the Giants back in the early 2010s he was always a solid pinch hitter. I just don’t know if he has anything left, but I’ll always root for the guy. It’s crazy he’s only 29.
Beating the O’s for that #1 pick will be a hard task lol
I think the Royals will actually be worse than the O’s or Tigers.
Tigers may have been much better last season, losing Miggy in June derailed them. With a weakened AL Central, a Manny Manchado sign might make them instant contenders.
not a bad depth piece and a good mentor for the young catchers in AAA.
Hope he’s called up by Tigres prior to the great gig in the sky.
/frantically renews season tickets
But seriously, good depth piece for the kids.
I’m thinking Hicks will cover 1st base, putting Miggy at DH. GG behind the plate.
For the Tigers, yes.
Anyone ever hear anything about moving Castellanos to 1st? Seems like a reasonable project.
The tigers won’t move castellanos to 1st, they don’t have a ton of depth in the outfield currently and have enough guys to cover 1st. Miggy will mainly play 1st and Hicks will be mainly DH
Is Hicks that good offensively?
No 🙁