White Sox Waive Gold Glove Second Baseman Yolmer Sanchez
By Michael Luciano
Apparently establishing yourself as arguably the best defensive player in the league at your position doesn't guarantee a spot on the new-look Chicago White Sox.
Yolmer Sanchez, who took home a 2019 Gold Glove for his defensive performance at second base last year, was put on waivers. Sanchez could still be in for a nice payday after racking up 11 defensive runs saved at second.
#WhiteSox Gold Glove 2B Yolmer Sánchez on outright waivers, sources tell The Athletic. Loomed as non-tender candidate with @mlbtraderumors projecting him to earn $6.2M in arbitration. Available to any team in waiver process. CWS clears 40-man roster spot.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 25, 2019
Sanchez is one of the best fielders in the game, but a .252 average with just two home runs and an OPS+ of 73 in 149 games shows that he is one of the worst hitters in all of baseball.
There are two obvious candidates to occupy his spot at second. Yoan Moncada, who hit .315 with 25 home runs in his breakout season, could slide back over from third, where his -7 defensive runs saved showed he is just an average at best glove at the hot corner.
Another option is former No. 4 overall pick Nick Madrigal, who hit .311 in the minors this year, including .331 during his stint with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.
74 wRC+ to the people saying “why?”
— Noah Broderick (@noahbroderick20) November 25, 2019
Considering how slick he is with the glove, Sanchez will almost assuredly have a job in the coming weeks, as you can never have enough defensive depth in the infield.