The Yankees aren’t exactly keeping their trade deadline plans under wraps. They want Ryan Jeffers, and they’re making that crystal clear to anyone who’s paying attention.
“The Yankees are making it no secret they want Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers at the trade deadline,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday.
It’s not a hole the Yankees expected to have when the season started. Austin Wells looked solid behind the plate, with J.C. Escarra and even Ben Rice offering depth.
But here’s the thing – they’re all lefties. That was always going to be an issue at some point.
What the Yankees couldn’t predict was just how much both Wells and Escarra would struggle at the plate. Now they need help, and they need it from someone who can actually hit.
Jeffers was putting together a career year before his injury. The 27-year-old was slashing .238/.336/.462 with 10 homers in 63 games – not spectacular, but solid production from the catching position. More importantly, he’s a right-handed bat who can work counts and take walks.
If he can prove he’s healthy, Jeffers makes plenty of sense for New York. The Twins are going nowhere fast this season, sitting well under .500, and Jeffers is in his final year of arbitration. Minnesota’s almost certainly going to move him.
The catcher market’s going to be interesting, though. There aren’t many quality options available, but there also aren’t that many teams actively hunting for catching help before the deadline. That could work in the Yankees’ favor.
From where I’m sitting, New York can’t afford to get into a massive bidding war. But they also can’t afford to stand pat with their current catching situation.
What makes this different
The Yankees’ interest in Jeffers isn’t just about adding a right-handed bat. It’s about getting someone who understands the strike zone and can handle a pitching staff that’s been inconsistent all season.
Jeffers has thrown out 29% of base stealers over his career – not elite, but respectable. He’s also developed into a solid pitch framer, something the Yankees value highly.
All things considered, this feels like a trade that makes too much sense not to happen. The Twins need to sell, the Yankees need catching help, and Jeffers fits what they’re looking for perfectly.
The question isn’t whether they should make a move. It’s whether they can get it done without giving up too much in return.
