The Yankees are adding some depth to their system this offseason, signing catcher Ali Sánchez and infielder Zack Short to minor league deals, according to the team’s official transaction log. Both are expected to be part of big league camp this spring, giving New York some experienced insurance behind the plate and around the infield.
Let’s start with Sánchez. He’s a right-handed-hitting backstop who’s spent time in the majors over the past four seasons, and he’ll turn 29 next month.
In 2025, Sánchez bounced between the Mets, Blue Jays, and Red Sox organizations, getting a bit of major league run with both Toronto and Boston. While his MLB offensive numbers-just a .183/.220/.233 line over 133 plate appearances-don’t jump off the page, his value lies more in what he brings behind the dish.
Sánchez is a solid defensive catcher with a strong track record at Triple-A. In 2025, he hit .274 with a .336 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging mark over 57 games between the Mets’ and Jays’ top affiliates.
That’s good for a 102 wRC+, meaning he was just a tick above league average at the plate in Triple-A. For a catcher who can handle a pitching staff and provide reliable defense, that kind of offensive output is more than serviceable.
He’s the kind of player who can step in during an injury stretch or serve as a steadying presence in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Then there’s Zack Short, a 30-year-old utility infielder who’s carved out a role as a glove-first option over the course of his career. Originally a 17th-round pick, Short has made major league appearances with five different clubs: the Astros, Tigers, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves.
Offensively, he’s struggled to find consistency at the big league level, slashing .172/.271/.296 across 594 plate appearances. He’s shown some pop with 15 career home runs and added 10 steals, but the strikeouts have been an issue.
That said, he also knows how to work a walk, which helps balance out the offensive profile a bit.
Defensively, Short brings versatility-something teams always value in a depth infielder. He’s logged most of his MLB innings at shortstop but has also seen plenty of time at second and third base, with occasional cameos in the outfield.
He’s rated best defensively at second, but his ability to move around the diamond makes him a useful piece to have stashed in Triple-A. Over six seasons at that level, he’s posted a .216/.353/.380 line-again, not eye-popping, but respectable given the defensive flexibility he offers.
For the Yankees, these are the kinds of moves that don’t make headlines in December but can matter in August. Both Sánchez and Short bring experience, positional versatility, and a professional approach to the organization. Whether they crack the big league roster or not, they add depth to a system that, like every other in baseball, will need reinforcements over the course of a long season.