One of many Yankees‘ questions this 2026-27 offseason is what function Austin Wells will play in 2027. Wells (age 27) will enter his 28-year-old season, and his 2026 season was disappointing on the plate. Wells on the season posted a .186/.292/.332 slash line with 14 dwelling runs, 32 RBIs, and a .624 OPS in 122 video games because the Yankees’ major catcher.
To Wells’ credit score, he picked up offensively within the second half of the season and supplied essential protection behind the plate and help for the pitching workers, regardless of his offensive woes on the plate this yr.
Wells ranked within the 92nd percentile in 2026, with 9 blocks above common, in line with Baseball Savant. Wells had a optimistic 7-pitch framing charge, additionally inserting him within the ninety fifth percentile, per Baseball Savant. Wells was one in all baseball’s higher defensive catchers this previous season in 2026. The Yankees pitching workers additionally credit him for sport calling and their success.
There was a lot dialogue at this previous yr’s MLB commerce deadline concerning the Yankees upgrading offensively at catcher, for the reason that present backup, Ali Sanchez, is an excellent worse hitter than Wells and has far much less defensive prowess. The Yankees and Orioles talked about switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman, however nothing important materialized in commerce talks, and he was traded to the Boston Crimson Sox.
Wells Picked It Up As A Hitter In The Second Half
From August by way of September, Wells compiled an over .800 OPS with 7 dwelling runs and 18 RBIs, in line with StatMuse. Wells additionally contributed to the Yankees’ 2026 postseason, regardless of getting swept within the ALDS towards Tampa Bay. In 15 postseason at-bats this yr, Wells had 5 hits (.333 BA) with 4 RBIs. He was the lone batter to get a success in sport one of many ALDS towards Rays beginning pitcher Drew Rasmussen.
The Yankees must ask themselves: Is the second-half model of Austin Wells they noticed legit? It’s additionally laborious to disregard Wells’ defensive worth, regardless of his offensive inconsistencies this yr. Then, within the free-agent market, the highest catcher obtainable is Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins, whom the Twins may prolong a qualifying provide to. Nonetheless, it stays to be seen whether or not that occurs and whether or not Jeffers accepts.
Yankees Exterior Choices/Candidates For Catcher
Jeffers is 29 and is coming off arguably his greatest season, no less than offensively, posting an .812 OPS with 14 dwelling runs and 56 RBIs in 92 video games. Jeffers was restricted to underneath 100 video games this yr due to a humerus fracture he sustained in Could, which saved him out for 7.5 weeks. Jeffers additionally has a relationship with Yankees catching coordinator Tanner Swanson. Nonetheless, whereas Jeffers is thought to be a way more elite hitter than Wells, his defensive metrics weren’t pretty much as good this previous season. Then again, Jeffers has sturdy numbers towards left-handed pitching, so there are positives and negatives to weigh.
Finally, the Yankees might want to have these conversations internally this offseason. The Yankees is also available in the market for one more backup right-handed hitting catcher who isn’t Ali Sanchez, as Joel Sherman of the New York Put up has rumored. The catching market is skinny this yr, however different names embody Jonah Heim, Travis D’Arnaud, Mitch Garver, Luke Maile, Gary Sanchez, Christian Vasquez, Carson Kelly (if he opts out), and Austin Hedges, to call a number of. The course the Yankees finally select can be price watching.
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