2026 Stats: 37 G, 148 PA, 7 HR, .295 AVG, .408 OBP, .541 SLG
Contract: 1 year, $6.7 million
Best Landing Spot: New York Yankees
This, of course, is contingent on Ryan Jeffers making a timely and effective recovery from a broken hamate. He’s been out almost a month now, and he isn’t expected back until July.
The other caveat here is that midseason trades involving catchers are tricky, especially when the expectation is that they’ll take over everyday duties with their new team. It’s not exactly a plug-and-play job.
But given what they’ve gotten from their catchers, the Yankees have more cause than most to consider that kind of Hail Mary. Their 44 wRC+ from the catching position is second-worst ahead of only the Philadelphia Phillies, and there’s no way they’re bumping J.T. Realmuto.
Even assuming he’s healthy in his own right, the Yankees absolutely can do that with Austin Wells. Worst-case scenario, Jeffers would work in a platoon with the lefty-hitting Wells.
Other Landing Spots: Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres