Yankees' Prime Offseason Target Should Already Be Obvious

The New York Yankees still have plenty of business to take care of this season before they worry about the offseason, but as an executive, you always have to look into the future.

So with that said, general manager Brian Cashman is already surely examining the upcoming free-agent class, and one name that should be at the top of his list is catcher Ryan Jeffers.

Jeffers was a popular name for the Yankees back at the MLB trade deadline, but the Minnesota Twins decided not to sell, and New York did not appear interested in adding a catcher anyway ... for reasons still mind-boggling to me.

The good news is that Jeffers is hitting the open market this winter, and the Yankees should be front and center for his services.

Jeffers is slashing .270/.371/.496 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI over 330 plate appearances this season. He missed some time due to a hamate fracture, but when he has been on the field, he has been terrific.

At 29 years old, Jeffers is still young enough to command a long-term contract, but because he is a backstop, New York will understandably have to be careful.

The market will also be very competitive for Jeffers considering that there really won't be any other truly enticing catchers available, so the Yankees might have to pay a pretty penny. But it would be worth it.

Jeffers is not an elite defender behind the plate, but he is decent enough, and he owns a lifetime .759 OPS, which is solid for a catcher.

Additionally, Jeffers is a right-handed bat, so the Yankees can keep the left-handed Austin Wells as a backup. While I am firmly against the idea of Wells starting, I think he would be just fine off the bench.

Jeffers has particularly been good the past four seasons, registering OPSes of .858, .732, .752 and .867, respectively.

New York will also have to worry about filling second base with Jazz Chisholm likely departing, but the Yanks may very well decided to go with Anthony Volpe at that spot next season, especially if he continues to perform well here down the stretch.

The Yankees' 2027 outfield also seems set with Cody Bellinger, Spencer Jones and Aaron Judge with Heliot Ramos as the fourth. Luis Garcia Jr. and Ben Rice will take turns at first base. George Lombard Jr. is likely entrenched at shortstop.

Third base is a bit iffy with Ryan McMahon, but he is under contract for $16 million next season, so New York seems primed to keep him.

Catcher is the one area in which the Yankees could make an aggressive move, and Jeffers is the obvious solution.