Yankees linked to Cubs' 17-homer catcher as 'realistic' trade option

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Yankees linked to Cubs' 17-homer catcher as 'realistic' trade option originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees are once again, likely to be trade deadline buyers this season. With the August 3 trade deadline steadily approaching, the Yankees top needs have become clear.

Bullpen and infield help would be nice, but the catcher position really needs to be upgraded with the disappointing season from Austin Wells and the backup catcher options.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic linked the Yankees to one realistic trade target this summer in Chicago Cubs veteran catcher Carson Kelly.

Yankees linked to Cubs' Carson Kelly as catcher trade target​

"However, I think more realistic options include Ryan Jeffers of the Twins (once he gets healthy), Agustin Ramirez of the Marlins, Joey Bart of the Pirates, Carson Kelly of the Cubs, Gabriel Moreno of the Diamondbacks, and Keibert Ruiz of the Nationals," Bowden writes.

A lot of these options are very interesting, but Kelly stands out as a fascinating trade target. The Cubs aren't in position to be sellers this year, but if they do sell, Kelly could be on the move.

The 31-year-old veteran is a free agent after the 2026 season, and shouldn't cost too much for the Yankees to acquire if Kelly is on the move.

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But, while he might not be too expensive, he would be a huge upgrade for their current catching room. This season, he has a .272 batting average with a .710 OPS, which would be significantly better than the .526 OPS the Yankees catchers have this season.

Last year for the Cubs, in 111 games, Kelly had 17 homers with 3.5 bWAR, a .249 average, and a .761 OPS.

While he's played in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons, these past two years have been the best of his MLB career. The Yankees would do well by adding Kelly this summer if the Cubs are selling.

Kelly is linked to the Yankees as a realistic trade deadline target, and if they could actually pull this trade off, it would be a huge upgrade over their current options without costing too much.

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• Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
• Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency
• Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM
• Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

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