Yankees' Aaron Boone: Gary Sanchez has been 'unfairly criticized' for 2020 struggles

Gary Sanchez's time with the New York Yankees may be coming to an end. The two-time All-Star catcher was heavily criticized for his struggles during the 2020 campaign, and the Yankees seem ready to find his replacement. 

However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone doesn't appear to share the same thoughts as New York's front office, saying that Sanchez has done some things incredibly well in the past. 

"I think he's been unfairly criticized a lot," Boone told YES Network, per the New York Post. "I think at times it's over the top and people are blinded by some of the things that he's done really well."

The 27-year-old averaged .147 at the plate last season, a career-low, with 24 RBI and 10 home runs. He took a large step backward after hitting .232 in 2019 with 77 RBI and 34 home runs. 2020 marked the second time in three years that Sanchez hit under .200 at the plate, so it's no surprise the Yankees are looking at other available catchers. 

New York has been linked to J.T. Realmuto in recent weeks, who is due for a large payday after two solid seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Yankees also have shown interest in Yadier Molina, who is 38 years old. 

Both of those catchers are drawing interest from multiple teams, so it won't be easy for the Yankees to sign either of them. The St. Louis Cardinals have an edge over the Yankees in the race for Molina, while Realmuto reportedly "isn't keen" on playing in New York. 

If New York strikes out on both of those players, it'll have to keep the Sanchez-Kyle Higashioka duo intact for the 2021 campaign, which isn't exactly ideal for a team looking to make a World Series appearance.