Building relationships. That's what Aaron Boone talked about when he got this job. It seems as if one relationship in particular has really gotten his attention.
Boone mentioned during his first press conference this week how he viewed Gary Sanchez as a player who was ready to show the world again how good he really is. Boone visited Sanchez and his wife at their home in the Dominican Republic this winter. That's a long way to go to visit a .186 hitter.
Of course we all know that Sanchez was hobbled by injuries last year which likely played a large role in his miserable season, though Sanchez is refusing to make an excuse even though he needed two DL stints for a groin injury and offseason surgery on his left shoulder.
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And we all know he's not as bad as 2018, but what we're not sure is how good he really can be. The Yankees have long believed he can be special, maybe the best overall hitter in this lineup. His defense has been the biggest concern, but the Yankees have stood in his corner for a very long time, with Boone right at the front.
Every public comment about Sanchez has displayed unwavering belief in the catcher's ability to be a quality defender, despite his penchant for passed balls and wild pitches. And it's of little surprise that Boone has taken this road given the perception of Joe Girardi's relationship with Sanchez in 2017.
Still, as much as the Yankees have invested in Sanchez, Boone seems to have taken the extra steps to make Sanchez believe in himself and not be discouraged by the potholes in his young career.
"I'm a fan of the guy, the person," Boone said of Sanchez on Thursday. "Then you couple that with the fact that he plays such an important position for us…being a young (catcher) is a challenging position, especially when you consider a guy that is truly a two-way player and carries as much of a load as he does offensively."
"But because of the demands that come with being behind the plate," Boone continued, "that doesn't always happen quick for a catcher at a young age. That's why a lot of times you see catchers get to the big leagues a little later than most guys. Because there's a lot that goes into that position that is not just physically demanding but demanding from just honing your craft, developing relationships, driving a lot of the game-calling stuff. Those are all things that evolve over time."
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"It's important for us to continue to work alongside him," Boone concluded, "because he's such an important player for us."
It's so interesting to see this dynamic, because Bob Boone—Aaron's dad—was a 7-time Gold Glove winning catcher who never hit more than 12 home runs in a season. The upside is there for everyone to see if Sanchez can cut down the passed balls by even a fraction and be healthy enough to be the offensive force this lineup is looking for.
Sanchez, quite obviously, has appreciated the support Boone has given him.
"What can I say about Boone?" Sanchez said Thursday. "Boone has been great from the moment he got here. We're always chatting, we're always communicating…that kind of support from him, my teammates and the organization feels awesome."
These Yankees have championship aspirations. Boone and Sanchez are hitching their wagons to each other and hoping it leads them there in the end.
Follow Sweeny on Twitter at @YankeesWFAN
