Boone: Sanchez criticism is 'over the top'

Gary Sanchez's 2020 campaign might have been a miserable one, but New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is still backing the two-time All-Star catcher.

"I think he's been unfairly criticized a lot," Boone told YES Network's Meredith Marakovits on Monday, according to Mark Fischer of 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.

"This year was certainly a challenging year for him and a struggle for him in a lot of ways, but that's OK."

Sanchez hit .147/.253/.365 with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs during 49 regular-season games. He also struggled behind the plate, with minus-4 defensive runs saved and five passed balls.

Boone benched Sanchez in favor of Kyle Higashioka during the postseason. Sanchez's name has been floated in trade rumors, and there's also a chance he could be non-tendered before the Dec. 2 deadline.

After finishing second in American League Rookie of the Year voting and hitting 33 homers during his sophomore campaign, the Dominican backstop's offensive production took a drastic slide in 2018, during which he also led the majors with 18 passed balls.

He rebounded at the plate the following season, belting a career-high 34 homers alongside an .841 OPS, but his defense continues to be an issue.

New York has reportedly been in contact with veteran free agent Yadier Molina. The Yankees have also been linked to J.T. Realmuto, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.