The New York Yankees targeted several catchers at the trade deadline.
Ultimately, they did not acquire a right-handed hitter to platoon with Austin Wells, who received trade interest from another AL East team.
On Wednesday, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the Baltimore Orioles inquired about Wells and a few other Yankees players in a potential deal for catcher Adley Rutschman.
“The Orioles had a request to the Yankees on the table for star catcher Adley Rutschman at the deadline: pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez, catcher Austin Wells, outfield prospect Yostin Pena plus one of two young starters – either Will Warren or Ryan Weathers,” Heyman wrote.
That would have been quite the price for the Yankees to pay for a year and a half of Rutschman, who has dealt with injuries in recent seasons.
The Yankees value Wells’ pitching-calling abilities and his work with their pitching staff.
Warren and Weathers could be key contributors to New York’s bullpen in the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. Both pitchers are under team control through at least 2028 (Weathers).
Plus, Rodriguez is an intriguing arm, and Pena hit .323 with six home runs in 23 games at Single-A Tampa.
Did the Yankees need Rutschman that badly? As it turns out, not really.
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Wells caught fire at the plate during the later months of the regular season and has continued that trend into the postseason.
For now, Ali Sanchez is a perfectly competent backup.
The Yankees can readdress their catching situation in the offseason.
Not trading four players for Rutschman, who posted a .688 OPS in 32 games with the Boston Red Sox, seems like the correct decision.
