The New York Yankees have a catching problem. And it just got worse.
Shea Langeliers was one of the names floating around as a potential trade target. But the Athletics catcher is likely done for the year with an injury, which takes him off the board completely. Even before that happened, though, there were real questions about whether Oakland was ever going to make him available.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post posted on X that the Yankees didn’t think Langeliers was gettable even before he got hurt. Heyman also suggested that another name, Goodman, is a long shot. So where does that leave New York? Heyman pointed to Ryan Jeffers of the Twins and Tyler Stephenson of the Reds as the most realistic options.
Ryan Jeffers looks like the guy
It’s not just Heyman who sees Jeffers as a fit. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that rival teams now expect Minnesota to trade Jeffers, and the Yankees are the leading candidate to get him.
Jeffers is having a solid year. He’s hitting .283 with a .389 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 32 RBIs. That’s production the Yankees would welcome behind the plate, where they’ve been getting inconsistent offense all season.
Stephenson is the other option. He’s at .245 with a .321 OBP, eight homers and 28 RBIs. Not as flashy as Jeffers, but still an upgrade over what New York has right now.
Why the Yankees are buying
New York sits at 59-45, two games behind the Rays in the AL East. They also hold a comfortable lead for the top wild card spot. That’s a team that should be adding, not selling.
The Yankees were trying to sweep the Phillies on Sunday night, which would be another statement win. But even with a strong record, the lineup has holes. Catcher is the obvious one, and general manager Brian Cashman knows it.
The trade deadline is coming up fast. If the Yankees want to make a real run in October, they need someone who can handle the pitching staff and chip in at the plate. Jeffers or Stephenson won’t make anyone forget about peak Gary Sanchez, but they’d be a clear upgrade over what’s currently on the roster.
Minnesota is listening on Jeffers. The Reds might be willing to move Stephenson. And the Yankees are in position to make a deal. It’s just a matter of which one happens first.
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