The Yankees are going to be in the market for a right-handed hitting catcher at the trade deadline, and that much feels clear. What isn’t so clear is whether their biggest names will actually be available.
New York’s catching production from Austin Wells, Ali Sanchez and J.C. Escarra has been close to a non-factor, so an upgrade is needed.
But the two most obvious targets may be tough to pry loose. Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins and Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies both come with complications that could keep them out of reach.
Minnesota is still in the postseason race, which makes the Twins more likely to add than subtract. Goodman presents a different issue: he is pre-arbitration eligible and still has three years before free agency, giving Colorado little reason to move him now.
If those doors stay shut, the Yankees may have to look elsewhere. One possible Plan C is Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.
“[Tyler] Stephenson is set to hit free agency after the year, and given how he's performing, he isn't a player they should want to keep around long term - especially with top prospect Alfredo Duno waiting in the wings,” FanSided's Zachary Rotman wrote about Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.
Stephenson’s line - .238/.319/.361 with 6 HR and a .680 OPS - is hardly eye-popping, but it would still be an upgrade for New York over what Wells and Sanchez have provided.
“Given the lack of catchers expected to be available at the deadline, the Reds might be able to get something decent for Stephenson, making the decision to trade him even easier,” Rotman added.
If the Yankees miss on Jeffers and Goodman, Stephenson makes sense as a fallback. He could share time with Wells, or the Yankees could go with him as their postseason starter. And because he becomes a free agent after the season, there would be no long-term commitment attached.
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