3 non-tender candidates that can save Yankees money for DJ LeMahieu deal

1. Gary Sanchez

Yeah, the Yankees really might deal Gary Sanchez before trade talks even materialize.

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Yes, this is a real possibility, as floated by The New York Post’s George A. King as something that rival executives are anticipating. Sanchez, entering his second year of arbitration eligibility, won’t be due nearly as much money as Aaron Judge is set to receive, but he is  likely the Yankee who’ll receive the second-most cash in the process.

Based on his 2020 season, during which he was mostly adrift at sea, it’ll also be a massive overpay and could create a deeper schism between the catcher and the front office.

Last season, Sanchez earned $5.6 million coming off an All-Star 2019, a significant raise off the the $669,800 he’d made the year prior. Even after a disastrous campaign, the slugging catcher would still be due for a statistically significant raise this offseason, and could see that salary figure balloon to $7.5 million or even $8 million.

For a Yankees team trying to scrounge up enough cash from their cushions to re-sign DJ LeMahieu, that’s a hefty chunk of change to allocate to someone you’ve lost faith in.

What once sounded ridiculous isn’t quite so wild anymore.

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