The Yankees have reasons to feel better about Austin Wells than they did a few months ago, but that doesn’t mean the job is done behind the plate.
Wells’ bat has picked up some steam lately, which matters after a stretch that put him on track for one of the worst offensive seasons in Yankees history. Even with that progress, the position still looks like one the Yankees should be willing to attack this offseason, and general manager Brian Cashman ought to at least check the catching market for a possible upgrade.
One name worth watching is Milwaukee Brewers All-Star William Contreras.
FanSided’s Robert Murray reported that this could be the offseason when the Brewers consider moving Contreras, pointing to the fact that he is entering the final year of his contract in 2027 and noting that Milwaukee has often moved on from star players in similar spots. Murray wrote, "This is a name to watch because Contreras is entering the final year of his contract in 2027, a point at which the Brewers have typically moved on from previous star players such as Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, Freddy Peralta and Devin Williams," Murray wrote.
Offensively, Contreras has been exactly the kind of catcher teams covet. He is on pace for his fifth straight season with at least 15 home runs and an OPS+ of 106 or better. Defensively, he brings a strong arm, though he does not grade out well as a pitch framer or blocker.
"The market for Contreras would be extensive. After all, he’s established himself as one of baseball's premier offensive threats behind the plate and has also improved defensively since coming to Milwaukee," Murray added.
He also singled out the Yankees as a logical fit. "A team like the New York Yankees would make plenty of sense, especially after missing on catching reinforcements at the trade deadline. But they would be far from the only ones that could possibly be involved," Murray finished.
If the Yankees want to give their lineup a real boost, Contreras would do it. The problem is they likely wouldn’t be alone in trying to get him.
In Other News...
Brewers Quietly Added Infield Depth At The Right Time
The Brewers kept working the margins of the roster by bringing back veteran infielder Jonathan Ornelas on a minor league deal and sending him to Triple-A Nashville. It was a quick turn after Ornelas was designated for assignment and then elected free agency, but it gives Milwaukee a familiar depth piece who has spent time in the majors with multiple clubs and can move around the diamond.
Ornelas value is in that versatility, since he has handled several infield spots and even seen time in the outfield. For a Brewers club that tends to prize flexibility and options, getting him back into the system offers a low-risk layer of insurance as the season moves along and roster needs inevitably shift. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Playoff Pitching Outlook Just Got More Concerning With Kyle Harrison
Kyle Harrison had seemed to stabilize after coming back from a month-long injury with left forearm tightness, and at first the results were there. Even so, the bigger concern has been what the Brewers are seeing underneath the box score: a fastball that has gone from a career-best 95 mph down to an average of 93.7, with the diminished pace helping explain why hitters have started doing more damage against him.
The latest reminder came against the Cubs, when Harrison was tagged for nine earned runs in 3 innings as Chicago took advantage of the softer velocity and some pitch tipping. For a Brewers team trying to sort out its playoff pitching picture, that kind of outing is more than a bad night - it raises fresh questions about whether Harrison can get back to the version of himself that made him look so useful in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Bullpen Gets A September Test As Playoff Push Begins
The Brewers enter September with the best record in Major League Baseball and a roster that is about to get a little more flexible, thanks to the expansion from 26 to 28 players. Milwaukee has already started shaping the bullpen for the stretch run by activating Abner Uribe and bringing in JoJo Romero, a move that adds another layer of depth as the games begin to matter more every night.
Romero, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals, recently finished a rehab assignment and has joined the Brewers on their road trip, giving the club a fresh left-handed option for the late-season push. For a team trying to protect its position at the top while navigating the demands of September, every healthy arm matters, and Milwaukee is clearly getting a closer look at how its relief mix will hold up once the postseason chase tightens. [Read more 🡒]