The Yankees spent the trade deadline exploring the catching market, but they never made the kind of move that would have brought in a right-handed bat to pair with Austin Wells.
One possibility on the table was Baltimore Orioles star Adley Rutschman. On Wednesday, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Baltimore asked New York about Wells and other Yankees players in a potential swap for Rutschman.
"The Orioles had a request to the Yankees on the table for star catcher Adley Rutschman at the deadline: pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez, catcher Austin Wells, outfield prospect Yostin Pena plus one of two young starters - either Will Warren or Ryan Weathers," Heyman wrote.
That was a hefty ask for a player who would have arrived with just a year and a half of control and who has battled injuries in recent seasons.
New York places real value on Wells, especially because of the way he handles the pitching staff and calls a game. The Yankees also had reasons to be reluctant to part with Warren and Weathers, both of whom could be important pieces in the bullpen during the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. Weathers is under team control through at least 2028.
Rodriguez adds another layer of appeal as an arm with upside, while Pena has flashed at the lower levels, hitting .323 with six home runs in 23 games at Single-A Tampa.
Wells has also given the Yankees more with the bat lately, heating up in the final months of the regular season and carrying that form into October.
For the moment, Ali Sanchez is a usable backup behind the plate, and New York can revisit the catching picture in the offseason.
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