​A faltering New York Yankees offense may look for reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline, and ESPN insider Jeff Passan highlighted an aspirational option for the Bronx Bombers. In a piece published on Thursday morning, Passan described Hunter Goodman as a “dream match” for the Yankees, though he cautioned that the Colorado Rockies would demand a hefty return for the star catcher. “With three more years of club control beyond this season, Goodman would require a haul,” Passan wrote. “He doesn’t walk much and strikes out plenty, the latter already an issue for New York. But for a Yankees team with a real shot at winning the AL this year, letting perfect be the enemy of good is dangerous, and if they can get Goodman, they should.”
Goodman has reinforced that his 2025 breakout was not a fluke, earning his second consecutive All-Star nod as a reserve. He sits behind only Kyle Schwarber and Yordan Alvarez with 27 home runs after belting 13 in June. Teams pursuing the 26-year-old shouldn’t be overly concerned about how he would fare away from Coors Field, as Goodman is slugging .635 with 18 home runs on the road this season.
Do you have a take to share or a thought you’re eager to express? Would you like to join a growing Yankees community? Comment on our content alongside staff and fellow fans.
The Yankees currently lead the American League with 132 home runs, yet the lineup has struggled recently with Aaron Judge sidelined. Over the last 18 games, they’ve plated just 50 runs, and they’ve dropped 14 of those contests. Behind the plate, their catchers are collectively batting a bleak .173/.250/.252, contributing to an MLB-worst .228 weighted on-base average, which underscores the need for an offensive boost at the position.
While the Rockies might not be inclined to part with Goodman, Passan also proposed a more probable alternative. He labeled Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers as New York’s “best match.” The 27-year-old right-handed veteran is a pending free agent who is currently rehabbing from a hand injury that has sidelined him since May.Lastly, the Yankees’ situation at catcher and in the lineup more broadly raises questions about how aggressively they should pursue upgrades before the trade deadline, balancing the urge to add proven contributors with the realities of available talent and the cost of acquiring them.