Yankees' Austin Wells Delusion Has Reached New Heights

The New York Yankees desperately need a catcher. I know it. You know it. The entire state of New York and the surrounding areas know it.

That's why the Yankees are expected to acquire a catcher by the MLB trade deadline, and with Minnesota Twins star Ryan Jeffers potentially available, New York could have a golden opportunity for a major upgrade.

Except the Yankees don't want to do that.

Why? Because they apparently remain confident in Austin Wells. Yes, the Austin Wells of the .165 batting average and .544 OPS this season.

Chris Kirscher of The Athletic explained the situation.

"Multiple team sources, who were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor, said that while the Yankees are likely to add a catcher, it would be surprising if they swung a trade at the top of the market because of that belief in Wells," Kirschner wrote.

But wait: it gets better. Apparently, Colorado Rockies star Hunter Goodman could potentially be available for them, but the Yankees don't want to pursue him because it would take playing time away from Wells.

"If the Yankees were to trade for, say, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, it would mean that Wells would, at most, play a few times per week," Kirschner added.

New York is evidently worried about Goodman's pedestrian defense, which I understand. The Yankees are also concerned about integrating a new backstop — especially one who isn't strong defensively — in the middle of the season.

I understand the latter, as well. A new catcher would have to learn a whole new pitching staff and vice versa. That isn't an easy task.

But for some inexplicable reason, New York remains attached to Wells (who has become incredibly overrated defensively, by the way) in spite of the fact that it has a large enough sample size to know who he is at this point.

The Yankees have long been accused of "prospect hugging," and while Wells is no longer a prospect, he is homegrown product and a former first-round pick, so the Bronx Bombers may feel inclined to keep giving him chances for that reason.

New York's lineup is in shambles right now, especially with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and now Cody Bellinger all sidelined. The Yanks desperately need some offensive punch, and acquiring someone like Jeffers or Goodman would provide that.

But the Yankees are somehow happy with Wells and his 53 OPS+.