The Blue Jays have signed catcher Tony Sanchez to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Sanchez, 27, will presumably start with the Buffalo Bisons and play for the Blue Jays if an injury occurs. Interestingly enough, Sanchez briefly backed-up Russell Martin in both 2013 and 2014 while with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
We identified Sanchez as one of the top remaining free agent options for the Blue Jays at the beginning of the month, and over 500 readers of the site voted him as the best fit on the list. Sanchez was the 4th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and has shown an ability to talk a walk throughout his minor league career. He boasted a double-digit home run total in both 2013 and 2014, but managed to clear the wall just three times last season.
If anything, this gives the Blue Jays some added insurance in the event of an injury behind the plate. Although Sanchez has struggled to throw out base runners throughout his career, he has fared fairly well in terms of pitch framing during his small sample in the majors. As a right-handed hitter, Sanchez has provided above average offensive production over his AAA career. This signing may not make headlines, but it does add some depth for the Blue Jays in a vulnerable position.