Twins' Gary Sánchez Reveals Hardest Part of Being Traded By Yankees
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MINNEAPOLIS — Gary Sánchez is off to a solid start with his new team, playing well over his first few months in a Twins uniform.
That doesn't mean the former Yankees catcher didn't face challenges this spring, suiting up for a new organization for the first time in his professional baseball career.
Ahead of Tuesday's Yankees-Twins game at Target Field in Minnesota, Sánchez's first opportunity to face his former team, the backstop was asked about the deal that sent him from New York to Minnesota on March 13 and what the hardest part of the trade was.
"I think the most difficult thing was adjusting to new faces and at the same time, leaving old friends behind, starting a new chapter in my career," Sánchez said through Minnesota's interpreter.
That said, Sánchez explained that he was able to settle into his new situation quickly thanks to how welcoming the Twins organization was.
"I knew a lot of people in this clubhouse as well that I've played with and met before," Sánchez added. "So that was really comforting."
Sánchez's tenure in New York had plenty of ups and downs. What started with historic offensive production ended with persisting woes on defense, along with a steep regression in the batter's box (and plenty of criticism off the field).
Entering play on Tuesday, over his first 43 games with the Twins, Sánchez is hitting .229/.289/.446 with seven home runs and 27 RBI. Behind the plate, he's taken strides forward, posting league-average numbers in framing.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone reiterated that Sánchez always worked hard when he donned pinstripes, remaining a quality teammate behind the scenes no matter what was going on between the lines.
"He's a really talented guy," Boone said before Tuesday's game. "Maybe the change of scenery helps him a little bit, but that's not to say that staying here, he wouldn't have put up a huge year either."
Sánchez said he's been following his former club—a team with the best record in baseball—and that he'll always be thankful for the opportunity New York gave him when he was signed back in 2009.
"I had a couple bad years and that's about it," he said. "I got traded and now, I'm getting better and moving forward ... I'm a Twin. Turned the page."
MORE:
- Sánchez, Urshela Enjoying Minnesota as Yankees Visit Twins
- Gary Sánchez Stands With Miguel Andújar After Trade Request
- Yankees RP Zack Britton Encouraged by Recovery, Still Hopes to Return in 2022
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