Yankees Catchers Are Brutal. A Former Twins Bat Might Be the Fix.

The New York Yankees just hung 10 runs on the White Sox. That’s not the problem. The problem is what’s happening behind the plate, and it’s getting ugly enough that someone like The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner is pointing at Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers as a realistic trade target before August 3.

Here’s the short version: Yankees catchers entered Wednesday with a collective 53 wRC+. That’s third worst in baseball. Only the Phillies and the White Sox have gotten less from the position. Austin Wells, who’s been the primary guy, posted a 53 wRC+ himself before landing on the injured list with cervical headaches. Among catchers with at least 160 plate appearances, only Salvador Perez had a lower mark. That’s not a small sample. That’s a season-long problem.

Why Jeffers makes sense

Jeffers broke his hamate bone in May and hasn’t played since. But before that injury, he was raking. His wRC+ sat at 163, which is elite for any position, let alone catcher. He’s progressing in his recovery and should be back before the deadline. If the Twins are open to moving him, and that’s still a big if, he’d be one of the best bats available at the position.

There’s also a connection worth noting. Jeffers worked with Yankees director of catching Tanner Swanson when Swanson was with the Twins. That relationship gives the front office a built-in evaluation data point. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s more than most trade targets would bring.

The fit beyond the numbers

This isn’t just about replacing Wells, who’s been bad but not hopeless. It’s about the whole catching group. The Yankees have been cycling through depth options just to stay afloat. A team with World Series expectations can’t afford to treat catcher as a black hole in the lineup. Adding Jeffers, who’s 29 and under team control through 2026, would stabilize the position for more than just a rental.

Minnesota hasn’t signaled a fire sale, but they’re also not running away with the division. If they decide to listen, Jeffers could draw serious interest. The Yankees aren’t the only team looking for catcher help, but they might be the one with the most to gain.

The clock’s ticking. The trade deadline hits August 3 and Jeffers is tracking toward a return right around then. Whether Brian Cashman pulls the trigger or not, the need is obvious. You don’t win in October with a 53 wRC+ from your catchers. You just don’t.