SerpApi.Org
A new report about the catcher market before the MLB trade deadline is terrible news for the New York Yankees and their hopes to upgrade the position for the second half of the season.
Despite injuries to key players like Max Fried and AL MVP Aaron Judge, the Yankees are keeping pace with the American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays and are only a game and a half behind them in the division. Yet, while they hope to get some high-impact players back in the weeks ahead, they still have areas of the roster they must improve before the trade deadline.
The most obvious need is at the catcher spot where Austin Wells has been awful at the plate. Heading into Tuesday, the four-year veteran has been a detriment and is hitting a pathetic .158. It’s why the Yankees have been linked to potential trades for the best catchers that could be up for grabs before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Unfortunately, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosthal, he doesn’t expect stars like Shea Langeliers, Hunter Goodman, or Adley Rutschman to be moved until the offseason, if at all.
“Frankly, I don’t believe any of them is getting traded at this deadline,” he said on the Foul Territory Show. “Now, in the offseason with Rutschman, with the lockout looming, maybe then that becomes a more serious conversation. And the other two guys, I don’t expect they will be traded at all.”
Which catchers could the NY Yankees target before the trade deadline?
Langeliers, Goodman, and Rutschman staying put is bad news for the Yankees. Either would have been a major upgrade at catcher. However, General Manager Brian Cashman has always been aggressive before the deadline and is sure to keep scrounging the catcher market to see what is available.
Interestingly enough, crosstown rivals the New York Mets have a pair of catchers that can be difference makers for the Yanks in Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens. The big question is, will the team from Queens be willing to make a deal with the club from the Bronx?
Another potential target could be seven-year veteran Tyler Stephenson. The Cincinnati Reds will probably be sellers, and the 29-year-old is a rock-solid starting center who should be available. Also, with the Toronto Blue Jays continuing to fall out of the race, they may make Alejandro Kirk available before the deadline.
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