While it may still be too early to start thinking about impactful trades that will transpire across MLB, it’s never too early to start speculating who may be moved come the early August trade deadline.
The New York Yankees have a very capable catcher in Austin Wells, but Wells really struggles against left-handed pitchers (which isn’t a surprise, as he’s a left-hitter). Wells is hitting just .125 against southpaws this season with an OPS of .435 in 32 at-bats.
In a recent piece by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is listed as the most likely player to be traded by the Twins come the August deadline. Should the Yankees consider trading for Jeffers to help with the balance among their catcher group?
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Should the Yankees Trade for Ryan Jeffers?
GettySAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 24: Yoendrys Gomez #94 (R) of the New York Yankees celebrates with Austin Wells #28 after defeating the San Diego Padres 8-0 at Petco Park on May 24, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Per BR’s Miller, Ryan Jeffers could be the top catcher trade candidate this summer:
“The Twins might yet decide to completely blow it up by putting Joe Ryan on the trade block and asking Byron Buxton to waive his no-trade clause. Even if they do not go that far, Jeffers being moved before he reaches free agency feels close to inevitable. He has an .865 OPS so far and could be a near-everyday presence in a contender’s lineup as a catcher/designated hitter.”
Piggybacking off the same article, Miller suggests that Oswalso Cabrera could be the Yankees’ top trade candidate this offseason, so New York could offer Minnesota Oswaldo Cabrera and a prospect like Ben Hess or Chase Hampton to complete a deal for Jeffers. But as Miller indicates, the Twins’ catcher will almost certainly be traded at the deadline, and he’s a name that could greatly benefit the Yankees’ lineup when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound.
In 41 at-bats against southpaws this season, Jeffers is hitting .293 with an OPS of .859. That’s a stark contrast between Austin Wells’ numbers against lefties.
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GettyRyan Jeffers crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Look, there’s certainly an argument to be made that Ryan Jeffers would still want to be the everyday catcher given that he’s about to enter MLB free agency, and wants to earn the best possible contract.
However, my rebuttal to that is, let’s say he is traded to the Yankees in August as a rental addition, he might have already accumulated enough stats to earn himself a good payday, and with the Yankees likely to make the MLB playoffs, Jeffers would only boost his stock while playing in front of a national TV audience, and a deep postseason run could earn himself an even bigger paycheck than going through the motions with the Twins.
Either way, it’s not like the Yankees necessarily need another catcher, but to have a platoon option and someone who can aid in getting Austin Wells off his feet every once in a while could certainly benefit the Yankees’ future aspirations.
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