The Yankees’ catching search could get expensive in a hurry, and one proposed deal would cost them a serious chunk of their future.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer floated a blockbuster that would send Hunter Goodman from the Colorado Rockies to New York, with the Yankees giving up Jasson Dominguez, Spencer Jones and right-hander Carlos Lagrange, who is MLB No. 73.
"Trade Proposal: New York Yankees get C Hunter Goodman; Colorado Rockies get OF Jasson Dominguez, OF Spencer Jones, RHP Carlos Lagrange (MLB No. 73)," Rymer proposed.
That is a heavy price, no question. Three young pieces for one catcher is the kind of move that makes a front office pause. But Goodman is not just any catcher.
The 26-year-old is under club control through the 2029 season, which would give the Yankees him for the next 3.5 seasons if they pulled off a deal. He also has not reached arbitration yet, so the contract situation is friendly right now. On top of that, his bat has been loud enough to make the argument.
In 93 games and 359 at-bats this season, Goodman has 93 hits, 64 runs scored, 16 doubles, 31 home runs, 58 RBIs, a .259 batting average and an .894 OPS. His .563 slugging percentage leads all National League hitters.
For a Yankees team looking to upgrade behind the plate, that kind of production changes the conversation. Goodman would be a major step up over Austin Wells, and he would also help the lineup bridge the gap until Aaron Judge returns. Once Judge is back, the offense could be the best in baseball.
The Yankees have other catcher options, including Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins and Shea Langeliers of the Athletics, but Goodman is the one Rymer labeled the “perfect” target. And in a wide-open American League, the idea is simple: if New York is going to swing big, this is the kind of player worth the risk.
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