The Yankees didn’t solve their catching problem at the trade deadline, and that storyline could easily carry into the winter.
New York passed on a deadline upgrade behind the plate because the asking prices were too steep. That left Austin Wells in place, even as the club continues to look like a team that could use more offense at catcher. Wells has been swinging the bat much better over the last month, but the Yankees would still be smart to keep chasing help at the position during the offseason.
One name that keeps surfacing is Hunter Goodman. The Rockies’ All-Star catcher was one of the most talked-about bats in the trade market, and Colorado made it clear it wanted a huge return for him. Goodman has put together a monster age-26 season, with 36 home runs and an .865 OPS.
On Tuesday, FanSided’s Robert Murray wrote that a Goodman deal this winter can’t be ruled out. He called Goodman a player to keep an eye on in the offseason trade market and noted that the catcher’s defense helped limit his market at the deadline.
"Behind the plate, however, is where teams had concerns, and it impacted his market at the deadline. Still, a player of Goodman’s caliber offensively, especially at a premium position, is rarely available," Murray wrote. "And if [William] Contreras is indeed moved over the winter, could a team that misses out on him step up and acquire Goodman?"
Murray then pointed to the Milwaukee Brewers.
For the Yankees, either catcher would fit as an upgrade in a lineup that leans heavily left-handed. If New York were to land Goodman, Wells would slide into the backup role in the Bronx.
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Through 134 games, Rumfield has put together a 3.3 bWAR season with 13 home runs and a .290/.383/.437 slash line, good for a 116 OPS+. His .383 on-base percentage ranks fourth in the National League, which helps explain why he has become such an important piece for Colorado. For a club that needed clarity at first, Rumfield has brought it, and the Rockies now have a real stake in seeing whether this version of him is the one that sticks. [Read more 🡒]