Yankees' Stunning $15.5 Million Prediction Would Change Everything

The New York Yankees absolutely need to make some changes this winter, because clearly, what they have been doing has not been working.

We know that Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman are both returning, so there won't be any alterations to leadership, but the Yankees must shake up their roster somehow.

One area in which New York definitely needs some help is the catcher position, where it cannot continue living with Austin Wells' putrid bat.

Instead of moving on from Wells entirely, however, the Yankees seem more likely to find a right-handed bat to platoon with the former first-round pick, which is why names like Tyler Stephenson and Carson Kelly have been pitched as potential targets.

But could New York actually try to make a big play for Ryan Jeffers in free agency?

Jim Bowden of The Athletic thinks so, naming the Yankees one of the top landing spots for Jeffers this winter.

The real kicker, though, is Bowden's contract projection for Jeffers: two years and $15.5 million, would would put the backstop at $7.75 million annually.

That would be a heck of a bargain for Jeffers, who most feel is probably looking more at something like a three-year, $45 million pact.

But if Jeffers really comes as cheap as Bowden predicts (which I highly doubt), the Yankees should absolutely look to make a move for him.

Jeffers slashed .256/.353/.461 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI over 369 plate appearances in 2026, missing significant time due to a hamate fracture.

The 29-year-old owns a lifetime .753 OPS, which is very solid for a catcher, and mashes lefties to the tune of a .270/.376/.464 clip.

Defensively, Jeffers is mostly pedestrian, but he is at least serviceable behind the dish, and his bat more than compensates for his lack of an elite glove.

Would the veteran settle for a part-time role, though?

If New York does consider Jeffers, he would almost certainly have to be the starter with Wells off the bench. That would actually be ideal, but the Yankees are unusually attached to Wells and clearly want him being the full-time backstop next season.

Wells is certainly superior defensively and the pitching staff loves him, so I can understand why New York values him, but there is no way the Yankees could possibly justify signing Jeffers and then only playing him against left-handers.

Regardless, if New York is able to secure Jeffers for the deal that Bowden projects, I don't see why the Yanks wouldn't make a run at him.