New York Yankees' Newest Trade Target Doesn't Seem Very Realistic

The New York Yankees are searching for a catcher between now and the MLB trade deadline, and while Minnesota Twins star Ryan Jeffers has stolen most of the headlines, another backstop has emerged as a possibility: Hunter Goodman.

Now in his fourth season — and second full season — with the Colorado Rockies, Goodman is enjoying a tremendous 2026 campaign. He is slashing .254/.324/.538 with 27 home runs and 51 RBI over 376 plate appearances, numbers that would even make prime Jorge Posada jealous.

The Yankees are apparently interested in Goodman, who is just 26 years old and is under team control through 2029. And why wouldn't they be? He's a stud.

But we must ask ourselves this question: just how realistic is a Goodman trade?

The Rockies are not contending for anything this season, but they don't have to be in any rush to move Goodman, who won't hit free agency until 2030.

Colorado should be looking to build around its young and talented catcher; not attempting to trade him.

That is, of course, unless the Rockies can rake another ballclub over the coals in a potential deal.

New York's required trade package for Goodman would probably start with Carlos Lagrange and Spencer Jones, and if Colorado did, in fact, make Goodman available, you can bet there would be plenty of other teams in the running, as well.

The Yankees are notoriously stingy with their prospects, so the idea of them moving several top farmhands for Goodman just doesn't seem all that realistic.

Jeffers makes more sense considering that he is in the final year of his contract, but the problem there is that the Twins are back in playoff contention. Barring a collapse between now and Aug. 3, Minnesota probably isn't moving Jeffers.

Of course, a monumental trade offer from New York might change that, but again, the Yanks don't seem likely to do that. Especially not for an impending free agent.

I will say this about Goodman: he could be the Yankees' catcher for the next decade. Yes, his defense is pedestrian, but his offensive potential is through the roof. He smashed 31 homers last year, and he could end up with 40-plus this season.

Would New York be open to parting with substantial prospect capital for its long-term answer behind the plate?

It's definitely something to think about, and it's worth noting that Goodman is actually better away from Coors Field (.964 OPS) than he is at home (.747 OPS).

But given the Yankees' recent track record, it's hard to imagine Brian Cashman selling the farm for Goodman.

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