The Yankees are eyeing a right-handed hitting catcher before the trade deadline to complement Austin Wells, according to three evaluators who spoke with The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty.
It’s not hard to see why. Wells managed three hits and an RBI on Tuesday, but that performance doesn’t mask what’s been a tough season at the plate. The left-handed hitter carries a 60 OPS+ into Friday’s matchup with Oakland, meaning he’s hitting 40 percent worse than the average big league batter.
That’s the kind of production that can sink a World Series contender.
The issue goes beyond just Wells’ struggles. Both he and backup J.C. Escarra hit from the left side, creating a platoon problem the Yankees seem determined to fix.
“All three evaluators suspected the Yankees would use the time before the deadline to search for a right-handed hitting catcher — likely to pair with starter Austin Wells,” Kuty wrote. “That’s despite the difficulty of trying to add in midseason a catcher who would have to learn a whole new pitching staff.”
The Yankees do have internal options, but they’re not exactly lighting up the scoreboard. Ali Sanchez and Payton Henry both bring solid defense to the table, though neither has impressed offensively at Triple-A.
What makes this situation tricky is Wells’ defensive value. He’s one of the best pitch framers in baseball, and that skill set isn’t easy to replace. But his lack of power combined with a high strikeout rate creates a real problem in the lineup.
The Yankees clearly recognize they can’t afford an automatic out when October rolls around. Adding a right-handed bat behind the plate would give them flexibility and potentially solve their biggest offensive weakness.
Now it’s just a matter of finding the right fit before the deadline.
