AL East Notes: Gary Sanchez, Red Sox package for Sale, Boxberger replacement

Gary Sanchez risks losing his gig as the Yankees backup catcher, according to Fred Kerber and George A. King III of the New York Post. In 10 games this spring Sanchez hasn't had the best stat line, going 1-for-16. Combine that with the fact that Austin Romine has had a good and solid camp, and there's a position battle brewing. It's brewing enough to the point that manager Joe Giaradi feels that Sanchez may be pressing a tad.

"Probably a little bit," Girardi said. "The first time you have an opportunity to make a club, I am sure there is a lot of excitement in that young man. We really believe he is going to be a really good player."

More news from around the American League East:

• Marc Normandin of Over the Monster tried to see what a Red Sox trade for Chris Sale would look like.
• The Blue Jays and Edwin Encarncion are having a bit of a contract disagreement, with the slugging outfielder saying that the team doesn't have it in their plans to bring him back, from Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun. His agent, Paul Kinzler, has said that Opening Day is the deadline for the two sides to work something out. The Blue Jays have offered him a two-year deal.
• One of the Orioles new additions to their rotation, Odrisamer Despaigne, is making the decisions difficult for the Orioles writes Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun. Despaigne's solid spring, along with his "kitchen sink" arsenal makes him a potential fit for the Orioles rotation.
• The Tampa Bay Rays will be the first team since the 1999 Baltimore Orioles to visit the island of Cuba, in what is a huge moment for the sport.
• Tampa Bay also has to figure out what to do with their closer situation. D Rays Bay took a look at some in-house options for the job, and also what's available in free agency.