The New York Yankees can be seeking to make a number of offseason strikes. Basic supervisor Brian Cashman has a number of vital roster holes to fill within the coming months. New York’s bullpen maybe tops the comparatively prolonged checklist of areas needing enchancment. Nonetheless, a brand new third baseman, catcher, and second baseman (assuming Jazz Chisholm departs) are additionally seemingly wanted.
So far as the catching place goes, the Yankees have been linked with stars reminiscent of Hunter Goodman and Ryan Jeffers. Nevertheless, as a result of New York wants a number of acquisitions this winter, they in all probability can not simply seize their high targets at each place. As SNY’s Phillip Martinez factors out, the Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins set extraordinarily excessive value tags on the 2 catchers earlier than the commerce deadline.
Whereas the New York Yankees can now signal Jeffers as a free agent, he’s anticipated to earn a big wage. Because of this, Cashman may flip to Tyler Stephenson. Martinez particularly talked about the now-former Cincinnati Reds slugger as a possible winter goal of the Bronx Bombers. Stephenson can also be a free agent after ending off a one-year, $6.8 million deal in Cincinnati.
The previous Purple might not precisely be a family identify, however he has confirmed to be a constant Main League Baseball hitter. He most lately collected 15 house runs and 54 RBIs, whereas slashing .241/.323/.404 in 130 video games. All of those statistics topped New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells in 2026. Stephenson can also be able to taking part in first base, a possible bonus for the Yankees.
New York Yankees Have Confirmed Curiosity in Tyler Stephenson Earlier than
This isn’t the primary time that the New York Yankees have been linked to Stephenson. MLB insider Jon Heyman beforehand revealed that Cashman “checked on” the Reds catcher forward of the commerce deadline in August. Together with the aforementioned trio, the reporter additionally claimed that New York was keen on Adley Rutschman. The Baltimore Orioles, nonetheless, in the end traded the All-Star catcher to the Boston Purple Sox.
Whereas Cashman opted to not make a transfer in August, he merely has to amass a brand new catcher now. New York Yankees gamers at this place mixed to document a .196 batting common and .600 OPS on the present marketing campaign. These anemic hitting stats ranked twenty eighth and twenty seventh in all of Main League Baseball, respectively.
The Reds might have missed their likelihood to money in on Stephenson. After holding onto the catcher for the rest of the 2026 season, it appears as if Cincinnati is able to transfer on from the star. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall lately hinted that the slugger may price an excessive amount of cash to carry again.
New York Might Save Cash to Use in Different Areas
The New York Yankees, nonetheless, ought to have the ability to conform to phrases with Stephenson in the event that they go in that route. A commerce for Goodman is probably going going to price lots. Jeffers, however, ought to demand a better contract this winter. The previous Twins star led all pending free agent catchers with a 4.7 WAR in 2026. Stephenson recorded a decent 2.5 WAR in Cincinnati. This was the third-highest determine amongst UFA gamers at his place.
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