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Jun 29, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) reacts after striking out against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees are one of the top two teams in the American League.
Only the Tampa Bay Rays, who lead the Yankees by three games in the AL East, have a better record.
Still, New York's +91 run differential is the best in the AL by far.
With Aaron Judge sidelined with a fractured rib, the Yankees need production from all different parts of the lineup.
But the catcher position is a glaring need before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Austin Wells has had a historically bad offensive season.
Other Yankees catchers haven't stepped up.
"The Yankees need a catcher. Between Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra and Ali Sanchez, Yankees catchers rank last in baseball in OPS and wRC+," ESPN's Jorge Castillo wrote.
Potential trade targets to replace Wells
Two names the Yankees could target are Ryan Jeffers from the Minnesota Twins and Hunter Goodman from the Colorado Rockies.
But the Twins are currently tied for the third and final Wild Card spot. Unless they tumble in the standings over the next few weeks, Jeffers is unlikely to be moved.
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Goodman hit 27 home runs before the All-Star break and has three years of control beyond this season.
If the Rockies are hesitant to move Goodman, New York's search for a backstop that could help them for the postseason could become tougher.
Whatever they do, it's obvious that Wells is not a long-term answer at the position.
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