Ali Sánchez only spent five days with the Boston Red Sox, earning only one at-bat during this time. The lineout at least showed the ability to make solid contact, but there wasn't another opportunity for the veteran catcher to make it into the lineup. After joining the roster on Aug. 11, the backstop was designated for assignment five days later. Rather than attempt to stick it out and work his way back up to the big leagues, Sánchez chose to elect free agency on Friday in hopes of finding a better fit.
In some ways, it is hard to blame this approach for the journeyman who has made a career of bouncing around the league. However, Boston was a great situation and would've given the catcher a fair shot of working his way back up, even on the current crowded roster. Quitting on the Red Sox has worked out in Sánchez's favor, with the veteran taking advantage of the New York Mets' desperation to find production from the position, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon.
Per @WillSammon, the Mets are signing catcher Ali Sánchez to a minor league deal.
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 22, 2025
Sánchez has played for the Blue Jays and Red Sox this season, and played in five games with the Mets in 2020. pic.twitter.com/tCqAFvShmw
Former Red Sox Catcher Ali Sánchez Joins Mets After Quitting Boston
Oddly, the deal is still a minor league agreement, not offering any promotion from the situation in Boston. The one difference is the fact that the Mets have a clearer issue at the position that could open up opportunity with a hot start from Sánchez.
Pete Hammon was the first to report the signing that brought back Sánchez, where the veteran started his career before spending time with the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, and, most recently, the Red Sox. Each of these stints was up-and-down, with a lot of time spent in the minor leagues. There simply hasn't been the consistent offensive production needed to justify the defensive option sticking around on any roster long term.
New York has a chance to be an exception based on the need at the position and the history Ali has with the organization. For Boston, this shows that it was the right decision to move on if even if the Mets aren't willing to give the veteran a Major League deal. It suggests a lack of trust despite being desperate to add improved depth.
The Red Sox saw that it wasn't going to be an ideal fit and quickly pivoted. Typical of a franchise that is pushing all of the right buttons this season. Even trading away its best hitter has worked out in Boston's favor, continuing to give steam to the idea that something special is about to happen for the historic organization.