The Yankees know that they should mull over their catching state of affairs this offseason after what transpired throughout the shortened 2020 season.

Within the postseason, it wasn’t Gary Sanchez located behind the plate like in years previous. Kyle Higashioka earned the beginning position together with his defensive abilities, and to everybody’s shock, his good at-bats as effectively.

Chatting with reporters on Wednesday by way of Zoom, GM Brian Cashman was very frank in his reply about his catchers and what to anticipate heading into subsequent season.

“I believe it’s definitely a good query clearly the best way Gary Sanchez’ season transpired, after which the best way it ended with Higashioka really beginning within the postseason as many video games as he did,” he stated. “I believe it’s one of many dialogue factors we’re going to should concentrate on.”

Sanchez actually labored this season proper from the beginning going 0-for-15 within the 5 July video games the Yankees performed. He, then, posted a .155 common in August and .171 in Sept. and Oct. to carry it to .147 on the season.

“It was a wrestle for him the primary month of the season, simply timing was off, chasing rather a lot, leaving the zone,” supervisor Aaron Boone stated.

Boone added, although, that “it didn’t essentially present up within the numbers” the place Sanchez improved in entrance of his coaches. The Yankees believed he was placing collectively higher at-bats and simply not having luck on his facet.

Due to that, the Yankees needed to make a change to Higashioka, and he made probably the most out of it. It was a breakout season for him, slashing .250/.250/.521 with 4 homers and 10 RBI over 16 video games. He additionally grew to become Gerrit Cole’s most popular possibility behind the dish, and given Cole’s standing, the Yankees weren’t about to alter that chemistry.

However that isn’t the principle purpose why Higashioka was behind the dish each time Cole pitched within the postseason. It’s as a result of Sanchez simply wasn’t producing on the dish. Higashioka went 1-for-5 in Sport 1 of the Wild Card Spherical, however broke out within the ALDS with a .308 common (4-for-13) with a homer in Sport 1 off Blake Snell and two RBI.

“The lack of taking part in time [for Sanchez] to a big diploma there on the finish was extra a results of what Higgy was doing,” Boone defined. “Higgy saved incomes increasingly alternatives with the best way he was swinging the bat and clearly what he brings behind the plate.

“So, proper now, in what we’ve with Gary and Higgy is 2 high quality main league catchers and I do nonetheless really feel like, in Gary’s case, I do really feel like his ceiling is absolutely, actually particular.”

Additionally, in Sanchez’ case is the truth that he’s due for an extension very quickly. He’s beneath staff management till 2022 earlier than turning into an unrestricted free agent earlier than the 2023 season. The Yankees wouldn’t let issues go that far in the event that they needed to maintain the primary of their “Child Bombers” in pinstripes for the foreseeable future.

However when you’ve gotten a franchise-type catcher like J.T. Realmuto in the marketplace this offseason, the dialog of whether or not or not Sanchez is the long-term possibility on the place for the Yankees could be very critical.

Cashman stated that the Yankees should decide if this shortened season was the rationale Sanchez struggled, or there may be extra behind the scenes.

“Clearly this COVID season was distinctive, you noticed plenty of surprising performances all through each leagues from gamers that clearly are able to extra,” he stated. “We’ve to find out whether or not this was a byproduct of distinctive circumstances or extra a mirrored image of what to be anticipated shifting ahead.

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“I do know Gary Sanchez is an especially gifted participant. I do know within the offensive facet there was – I suppose I’d describe it as he swung the bat higher than these numbers regarded. On the defensive facet, I do know he was totally dedicated to [catching coordinator] Tanner Swanson and adjusting to Tanner Swanson’s mechanical changes that may enhance his receiving abilities, which I believe that did occur. However in the end the tip consequence was the efficiency wasn’t Gary Sanchez-caliber.”

It’s one thing Cashman and the Yankees – or anybody for that matter – didn’t see coming. Sanchez is meant to be a pillar for staff success for years subsequent to Aaron Choose, Luis Severino and the others. However now, with Higashioka having this season and trying to enhance upon that, Sanchez’ future with the staff isn’t so sure.

“We’ll consider that specific place as a result of we’re compelled to now,” Cashman stated.