The New York Yankees need catching help, and the answer might be just across town. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Mets backup catcher Luis Torrens “would be a nice fit” for the Yankees as they look to upgrade behind the plate before the trade deadline.
Torrens, who’s hitting .214 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 58 games this season, isn’t exactly a star. But he’s a right-handed hitter on a cheap contract — $4.75 million through next season — and he’s already familiar with the Yankees organization, having spent time in their farm system. For a team that’s been searching for consistency at catcher, that familiarity matters.
But Torrens isn’t the only name in the mix. Heyman also mentioned Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins, calling him a logical option. Jeffers has been on the injured list with a fractured hamate bone, but before the injury he was crushing it — .295 batting average, seven home runs, 26 RBIs in just 37 games. His .949 OPS would look really nice in the middle of a Yankees lineup that’s been inconsistent at times.
The question is whether the Twins would actually trade him. Minnesota is contending in a weak AL Central, and moving a productive player like Jeffers — even as an impending free agent — would be a gamble. But ESPN’s Jeff Passan thinks it’s possible, calling Jeffers the “best match” for the Yankees while labeling Colorado’s Hunter Goodman as the “dream match.”
Goodman, 26, has smashed 27 home runs this season, third most in MLB. His .251 average isn’t elite, but the power is undeniable. And the Yankees don’t have a clear prospect waiting to take over behind the plate long-term, so a young catcher like Goodman could be more than just a rental.
It’s not clear yet which direction the Yankees will go. The trade deadline is still a few weeks away, and the front office is weighing options. But with the team’s biggest rival potentially helping them solve a roster hole, this is one story worth watching.
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