Orioles new backup catcher Gary Sánchez glad to be back in AL East

The Orioles have a new backup catcher to Adley Rutschman, and Gary Sánchez, who began his career with seven seasons with the New York Yankees, said he’s happy to be back in the American League East.

“It’s a division where I started my professional career, so I feel like I know the stadiums very well,” Sánchez said through a translator. “Yankee Stadium, Oriole Park even Toronto. I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to getting back out here. I know the Orioles are a very competitive team. They’ve done a lot of great things these last couple of years, so I’m looking to join the race again and being competitive.”

Sánchez was an All-Star with the Yankees in 2017 and 2019, but since New York traded him to Minnesota in March 2022, he’s played for the Twins, New York Mets, Aan Diego Padres  and in 2024, Milwaukee Brewers.

He talked to Jorge Mateo about the Orioles.

“I spoke with him about this opportunity and kind of wanted to get his take on coming to Baltimore,” Sánchez said. “He just told me, ‘Man, there’s a lot of great people here. A lot of great teammates. We have a really good manager. It’s an exciting time and we have a lot of great chemistry here.’ So, I thought that was obviously great to hear.”

Sánchez, who signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract, hit .220 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs and a .699 OPS in 89 games with the Brewers last season, and he thinks the Orioles are a good fit.

“I think they have really good chemistry and for me it’s an honor to be part of this team now,” he said. “They have a lot of great, young talent, a real exciting group, and I’m just looking forward to going out there and helping any way that I can to support this team and help this team win.”

Last year, Sánchez was mostly a designated hitter. He started 27 games behind the plate and, for the first time in his major league career, started one at first base.

“It’s the manager’s decision, and I leave it up to him,” he said. “If they want me to be the designated hitter, I’ll be more than happy to do that. If they want me to catch, I’ll do that, as well. Even if they want to put me at first base, I’ll be more than happy to do that, as well. So, whatever helps the team win.”

Sánchez will get to know Rutschman after the Orioles get to Sarasota for spring training in mid-February.

“I think it’ll be a lot of fun, and I think I can really learn from him.” he said. “Just because someone spends a lot of time in the major leagues doesn’t mean that you can stop learning. So, I’m looking forward to learning from him and I’m looking forward to him learning from me, as well, and us working with each other. I’m really looking forward to us having the opportunity to really help this team win and get along. I haven’t really met him yet, but I’m looking forward to meeting him soon and getting to work with him.”

The only pitcher on the staff Sánchez knows is Yennier Cano. They were briefly teammates in Minnesota.

“I’m always looking to learn and so I think that I’ve had a great chance to work with a lot of great pitchers and work with them using the reports and different things like that,” Sánchez said. “So, I think every pitcher is different on an individual basis so I’m looking forward to getting to work with them in that sense and I’m also looking forward to working with the pitching coaches and kind of get to know them and see what they expect and develop that relationship and that chemistry from there.”

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