[4] At the 1948 Winter meetings, he and Roy Partee were dealt to the Yankees for Red Embree, Sherm Lollar and Dick Starr plus $100,000.

Still, he proved to be a very important piece for the Yankees down the stretch, as he went 3–0 with a 2.31 ERA in the month of September to help hold off the surging Boston Red Sox, and win the American League by a game.

[5] He responded to these rumors by getting off to a 4–0 start; shortly after which, the Yankees acquired left hander Joe Ostrowski from the Browns without departing with Sanford.

Having been a starter in the early part of the season, Sanford was demoted to the bullpen in June, making just one spot start in August.

Unhappy with the Yankees, Sanford was exceptional in his first start with his new club,[7] retiring fourteen batters in a row at one point to earn the win.

His career ERA+ was 94, meaning he was approximately six percent worse than average in allowing earned runs relative to his era, stadiums, and league.