The New York Yankees have made their catching preferences known ahead of the trade deadline. But wanting something and getting it are two very different things, especially when the guys you want are attached to teams that aren’t eager to deal.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees are interested in Colorado’s Hunter Goodman and Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers. And on paper, both make sense. But on the ground? The Rockies and Twins aren’t exactly waving goodbye.
The Goodman Problem
Goodman is the kind of bat that changes a lineup. He’s hitting .251 with 27 homers and 51 RBIs heading into the All-Star break. That’s second in the National League only to Kyle Schwarber in home runs. He’s also a two-time All-Star at 26 years old. Normally, a guy like that on a last-place team would be packing his bags by July 31.
But Colorado sees it differently. The Rockies are at the bottom of the NL standings, sure. But Goodman isn’t going anywhere. He’s under team control through 2029. That’s six more seasons. For a franchise that has basically zero foundation to build on, Goodman is the foundation. Trading him now would be like selling the only chair in an empty room.
The Rockies have told reporters they have no plans to move him. That could change if someone offers something absurd. But the Yankees’ farm system isn’t what it used to be, and Colorado has no reason to blink first.
Jeffers: The Rental That Isn’t Renting
Jeffers is a different kind of headache for New York. He’s an impending free agent, which usually means he’s on the block. But the Twins are in the middle of the AL Central race, just two games back at the break. They’re not sellers. Not yet anyway.
Jeffers has only played 37 games this year after a hamate bone fracture cost him time. When he’s been on the field though he’s hit .295 with seven homers and a .949 OPS. That’s elite production from the catcher spot. Minnesota would need to fall out of contention before they even think about moving him.
The Yankees have been linked to catching upgrades for weeks. ESPN’s Jeff Passan called Jeffers the “best match” for New York. Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentioned Mets backup Luis Torrens as a fallback option. But Torrens is a backup for a reason, and the Yankees aren’t shopping at the clearance rack for a position that’s been a weakness all season.
So Where Does That Leave New York?
Right now the Yankees are stuck hoping either the Rockies change their philosophy or the Twins fall apart. Neither feels likely. Colorado has made it clear Goodman is part of their long-term plan. And Minnesota is in a fight for the division. They’re not going to hand a rival a quality catcher unless the price is sky-high.
The trade deadline is coming. The Yankees have needs. And the catchers they want are probably staying put.
Leave a Comment