The New York Yankees missed out on a much-needed catcher upgrade at the trade deadline, reportedly balking at some seriously high asking prices. But don’t count them out of the game yet, because despite Austin Wells heating up at the plate over the past month, the Yankees front office would be smart, real smart, to go after a top-tier catcher in the upcoming offseason. This isn’t just about depth, it’s about firepower.
Hunter Goodman’s Bat is on Fire, But There’s a Catch
All eyes in the trade market are locked on Colorado Rockies All-Star backstop Hunter Goodman, and for good reason. The dude is 26 years old and crushed 36 home runs this season, rocking an insane .865 OPS. You don’t just find that kind of slugging at catcher. Colorado knows exactly what they have, which is why their front office put a sky-high asking price on him. FanSided’s Robert Murray dropped the word Tuesday that a Goodman trade isn’t off the table this winter, making him a major name to watch. This guy is the real deal offensively, someone who could totally change a lineup.
Offensive Juggernaut Meets Defensive Questions
Here’s the rub, though, and it’s what held back a deal at the deadline: teams had concerns about Goodman’s defense behind the plate. Yeah, a slugger like that usually comes with some questions, right? Still, as Murray pointed out, a player with Goodman’s offensive caliber, especially at such a premium position, doesn’t come around often. It’s a rare opportunity. If the Rockies stick to their guns and decide not to move Goodman, the Yankees have a clear pivot: William Contreras from the Milwaukee Brewers. Either one of these guys, Goodman or Contreras, would be a massive offensive upgrade for New York, especially given their current left-handed-dominant lineup. It’s about getting that balanced threat. Austin Wells, who’s been crushing it lately, would then slide into the backup catcher spot in the Bronx. This offseason is gonna be wild, folks.
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Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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