The Tigers have claimed catcher Ali Sanchez off waivers from the Cardinals and optioned him to Triple-A, per the team. In addition, Jacob Barnes was granted his release after clearing waivers.
Sanchez, still just 25 years old, has appeared in the Majors in each of the past two seasons with the Cardinals and Mets, respectively. He has yet to garner more than a dozen appearances, however. Of course, the Cardinals and Mets were both been pot-committed to their starting catcher, whether by performance and pedigree in the case of Yadier Molina or by contract in the case of James McCann. He has posted solid offensive numbers in Triple-A, slashing .255/.333/.409 across 123 plate appearances this season.
Sanchez may find more of an opportunity in Detroit playing behind Tucker Barnhart and Eric Haase, who sees as much time in the outfield and designated hitter now as he does at catcher. Sanchez also has an option remaining, which may put him in front of veteran Dustin Garneau on the short-term call-up list.
As for Barnes, the 32-year-old journeyman is granted free agency after making 22 appearances and posting a 6.10 ERA/5.51 FIP across 20 2/3 innings.
warnbeeb
Tigers gonna try to pawn Barnhart off on someone at the trade deadline?
For Love of the Game
Why not? Season’s swirling down the bowl and Barnhardt is an older, costlier version of Rogers.
tammelinb
Barnharts strength has never been his bat. He wasn’t brought in to Detroit for his bat, but for his calling the game with the young pitchers behind the plate. Not a part of the game average fans see, but it is one of the most valuable parts of any team
ThonolansGhost
Yeah, but his hitting is at an all-time low. His OPS+ was 80,75 and 75 over the last 3 years. This year, it’s at somewhere around 60. I don’t know how low it can get before he loses his starting job, but he must be getting close. Right now, the Tigers don’t have a great alternative.
tammelinb
Barnharts hitting is on par with most of the a Tigers lineup this season. My first move would to replace the hitting coach.
SportsFan0000
The Tigers, Dillion Dingler.
drafted from Ohio St that could be part of the MLB catching depth chart
late this year or early next year. He was converted from CF to catcher @ OSU.
Luke Strong
I hope the Tigers don’t do something stupid like offer him an extension, he is clearly not the solution at the C position.
ThonolansGhost
Agreed.
stymeedone
Possibly. His bat has been a non entity. Elite glove, but with Rogers getting closer to a rehab assignment, his need is dwindling. Would make a decent low cost replacement for Zunino.
basedonamadeupstory
When is Rogers rehabbing? Can’t wait to have him back, but I thought he was lost for the season?
ThonolansGhost
Rogers is supposed to come back mid or late season. Maybe August?
Edp007
Tiger fans already pining for spring training next year lol
Cherb
Bring in younger players, hope Avila gets canned, at some point let Tork go the minors to rebuild his confidence. That’s my hope in no particular order
ThonolansGhost
Not sure Avila or Torkelson is going anywhere, but there should be several more rookies next year.
TroyVan
Puts Eric Haase on notice, for sure.
ThonolansGhost
Haase is starting to hit.
Peart of the game
Barnes would be best suited for an NPB team.
sergefunction
What the heck does this mean?
“…the Cardinals and Mets were both been pot-committed to their starting catcher…”
Someone was committed to something all righty.
ThonolansGhost
I also wondered what the author was trying to say.
funkytime
It’s a poker term, though like most uses of poker terms outside of the context of poker it doesn’t really apply.
In poker you’re “pot commited” if, for example, there’s $100 in the pot and you only have $1 left to call, even though there’s only a 1 in 50 chance your hand is good. It’s still profitable to make that call.
Regardless of how much money they’ve spent on a player, they aren’t getting that money back by holding on, so it’s a completely different scenario. This is actually the sunk cost fallacy at play.
ThonolansGhost
So the only typo was the word “been”?
Cosmo2
Both them done been pot-committed, son
sergefunction
What the heck does this mean?
“…ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɴᴀʟꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴇᴛꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʙᴏᴛʜ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴘᴏᴛ-ᴄᴏᴍᴍɪᴛᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜᴇʀ…”
Someone here was committed to something alrighty.
sergefunction
Oops…
GarryHarris
I think this is a good acquisition for the Tigers. I’m still convinced that Al Avila has no plan.
SportsFan0000
Avila has a plan.
Having the vast majority of his pitching rotation go down with injuries was not part of the plan.
Having so many of his reliable hitters suddenly stop producing at the plate was not part of the plan.
Having key position players go down with injuries was not part of the plan.
The player drafting must produce a steady stream of present and future major above average league contributors and some break out stars.
The Dodgers farm system is still one of the top rated systems in the game after they have won something like 8 Division titles in a row, a World Series title and multiple NLCS appearances?!
The Tampa Rays are churning out great players and prospects every year too.
The Tigers must follow those leaders and produce more talent every year from the farm in order to compete with the larger market teams..
gotigers68
The Tigers also have Jake Rogers, coming back soon…..
Cardsfanatik redux
I was hoping the Cardinal’s would give this guy more of a look tbh. I know they hype up Knizner and Herrera, but you can never have enough decent catching