Photo: Ed Delany, MMO
The Mets have traded catcher Ali Sanchez to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations, the latter announced on Twitter Friday afternoon.
Sanchez, 24, was designated for assignment by the Mets on Wednesday when the team acquired outfielder Khalil Lee from the Kansas City Royals as part of a three-way trade that also included the Boston Red Sox.
The Venezuela native debuted with the Mets during the 2020 season and recorded one hit in nine at-bats over the span of five games. Prior to being moved, Sanchez was ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the Mets system by MLB Pipeline.
A defense-forward catcher, Sanchez gives the Cardinals a decent depth piece behind the newly-returning Yadier Molina as well as Andrew Knizner.
As for the Mets, their catching depth gets a bit thinner. James McCann and Tomas Nido will carry the freight going forward for the Mets as was the plan to begin with, but should either of them miss any time, Patrick Mazeika and Bruce Maxwell are the next in line to step up.
On the open market, a few catchers still linger, including former Mets Rene Rivera and Robinson Chirinos, as well as veterans Tyler Flowers, Jeff Mathis and Matt Wieters.
Sanchez is free agent eligible for the first time in 2027.
