Feb 12, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) and catcher Gary Sanchez (24) talk as pitchers and catchers report for spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
When the New York Yankees made the not-that-difficult decision to tender Gary Sanchez a contract for the 2021 season, they weren’t doing so with the intention of benching him for Game 1 of a postseason series.
The Yankees’ strongest lineup, both offensively and defensively, should be playing any such hypothetical game.
If everything goes according to plan, that group would include a 30-homer bat in Sanchez instead of either a wince-worthy black hole or a controversial backup.