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.
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Yankees Have A New Rays Problem In The AL East Race
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For the Yankees, the concern is less about the trade itself and more about what it says about a rival that keeps finding ways to stay in the mix. Hicks has hit .328/.425/.522 in 23 games with 13 RBIs and three homers, and he comes with club control through the 2030 season, which gives Tampa Bay a longer runway than a typical deadline-style pickup. In a crowded AL East, those are the kinds of additions that can matter in September, and the Rays have another one on their hands. [Read more 🡒]
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Yankees Suddenly Have A Frustrating Void At A Spot They Once Owned
For years, catcher was one of the Yankees most recognizable strengths when it came to offensive production behind the plate. Since the Silver Slugger Awards were introduced in 1980, the organization has had a parade of winners there, with Jorge Posada, Mike Stanley, Brian McCann and Gary Snchez all taking turns turning the position into a source of middle-of-the-order impact.
Snchezs 2017 win looked like the high-water mark, and it has been hard for the Yankees to recreate that kind of offensive edge at catcher since. The franchise now finds itself watching a spot it once seemed to own slip into uncertainty, with current and future options carrying the burden of restoring that Silver Slugger standard even as the wider history of the award shows how rare sustained dominance at the position can be. [Read more 🡒]