As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees have a number of needs to address, one of which may be flying under the radar.
The platoon behind the plate of Austin Wells and Jose Trevino has been about league average with a .683 OPS and a 97 wRC+. However, one MLB analyst thinks the Yankees could be in play to add a catcher coming off an All-Star season in 2023.
Mark Fiensand of MLB.com listed the Yankees as potential suitors to trade for Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz.
It certainly would be an interesting move if the Yankees made a deal for Diaz. He would be an upgrade defensively over both Wells and Trevino in terms of pop time and catching runners stealing. Trevino ranks as the better framer.
Diaz also would seem to provide an upgrade offensively. Though the Yankees like the upside Wells brings from the left side, the 33-year-old Diaz has a .785 OPS that includes a .349 OBP in 60 games this season.
As a half-year rental, Diaz would enter free agency after the season so there's no upside of team control for multiple seasons.
But right now, the Yankees have a chance to end their 14-year World Series drought if they can add the right pieces to that may not matter as much to them.
The deadline is approaching quickly, and the Yankees will be among the top teams to watch. Diaz may now be a name to monitor over the next few weeks.