The Yankees left the trade deadline without a new catcher, and that opened the door for the Red Sox to land Adley Rutschman.
New York had interest in the three-time All-Star backstop, but the price tag apparently pushed them in another direction. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees could have blocked Rutschman from ending up in Boston if they were willing to move major league talent.
"The Yankees tried for impact relievers, according to people briefed on the discussions," Rosenthal wrote about New York's trade deadline. "They could have prevented Adley Rutschman from going to the Red Sox if they were willing to part with a package heavy on major-league talent. They even talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about right-handed starter Kevin Gausman."
Boston got the deal done with the Orioles by sending four minor league prospects, a route the Yankees apparently were not eager to take. Rosenthal also noted that "the combination of a thin bullpen market and a depleted farm system compromised the Yankees' pursuits."
Instead of making that kind of splash behind the plate, the Yankees addressed other needs by trading for Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos, two bats aimed at strengthening the lineup.
Austin Wells has hit much better over the last few months, but New York still seemed to be weighing the larger picture at catcher. Another option was clearly on the radar, yet the front office couldn’t find the right trade partner.
Rutschman’s start in Boston has been rough so far. In 59 plate appearances with the Red Sox, he is hitting .170/.254/.245 with one home run and a .500 OPS.
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