Yankees Sign Ali Sanchez, Zack Short to Minor League Deals

The New York Yankees have quietly added two experienced depth pieces to their 2026 plans. They’ve signed catcher Ali Sánchez and infielder Zack Short to minor league deals with invitations to major league spring training.

These moves won’t dominate headlines. Still, they’re exactly the kind of under-the-radar roster decisions that can steady a contending club over a long season.

Yankees Sign Ali Sánchez and Zack Short for Depth and Flexibility

The Yankees’ transaction log shows that both Sánchez and Short are on minor league contracts and will be in major league camp as non-roster invitees next spring. In today’s game, where injuries and matchup-driven lineups are everywhere, these types of signings often matter more than they seem in December.

New York’s front office seems focused on reinforcing the middle of the diamond. They’ve added a defensively steady catcher in Sánchez and a versatile, glove-first infielder in Short.

Neither guy is here to carry the offense. They’re more like insurance policies and possible in-season call-ups if things go sideways.

Ali Sánchez: Defense-First Catcher with Just Enough Bat

Sánchez, a right-handed hitter who turns 29 next month, has already bounced around plenty despite limited big league exposure. In 2025, he moved through the Mets, Blue Jays, and Red Sox organizations, making appearances in the majors for both Toronto and Boston.

At the major league level, his offensive numbers are modest. Over 133 career MLB plate appearances, Sánchez owns a .183/.220/.233 line—definitely a defense-first catcher.

That defensive profile is exactly why teams keep giving him chances. Behind the plate, Sánchez is widely regarded as a solid receiver and game-caller.

He’s shown he can handle veteran pitching staffs, control the running game well enough, and keep things from unraveling. Those skills matter, especially for a team like the Yankees that cycles through high-octane arms.

There’s a bit more life in Sánchez’s bat at the upper minors. At Triple-A in 2025, he posted a respectable .274/.336/.411 slash line with a 102 wRC+ across 57 games.

That’s roughly league-average production with a hint of gap power. If the Yankees use him in the right role, he won’t be a black hole at the plate.

How Sánchez Fits Behind Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra

For the Yankees, Sánchez is catching depth behind Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra. Unless injuries or big surprises happen, he starts well down the depth chart.

His presence gives New York:

Zack Short: Versatile Infielder with On-Base Skills

If Sánchez is about stabilizing the catching corps, Zack Short is about flexibility in the infield. The 30-year-old has already worn several uniforms, logging MLB time with the Astros, Tigers, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves.

That journeyman résumé is typical for a player who brings value through versatility and defense—not headline-grabbing hitting stats. Offensively, Short’s career MLB slash line is .172/.271/.296 over 594 plate appearances, with 15 home runs and 10 steals.

The batting average lags, partly because of high strikeout totals. Still, he’s always paired those with strong walk rates, so when he’s seeing the ball well, he can get on base.

Defensively, he’s mainly a shortstop but has played plenty at second and third. Most evaluators say he’s at his best at second base, where his range, instincts, and arm strength all play cleanly.

Short’s Path on a Crowded Yankees Infield Depth Chart

Short joins a Yankees organization that’s anything but thin in the infield. With established big leaguers and younger options already fighting for playing time, he heads into camp clearly behind the main group.

That doesn’t mean he’s got no shot, though. Short’s value comes from being able to fill multiple roles:

If an opportunity pops up—an injury, a slump, or a need for better infield defense—Short’s glove and experience give him a chance to carve out a role. Even if it’s a modest one, sometimes that’s all a team needs.

Why These Minor League Deals Matter for the Yankees

On paper, adding Ali Sánchez and Zack Short doesn’t really change the Yankees’ championship odds. Still, the teams that actually make it through the grind and end up in October? They’re usually the ones who nail these depth moves.

By bringing in a defense-first catcher and a versatile infielder, both with some big-league experience, New York has covered itself for the long haul. These guys know their roles. If the Yankees need them in 2026, nobody’s expecting heroics — just steady play, a calm presence, and a way to keep things moving forward.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees Add Ali Sanchez, Zack Short On Minor League Deals