​Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees reaches for a wild pitch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on July 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) GettyTim Hill #41 of the New York Yankees walks off the mound after pitching during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on May 07, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) GettyAaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) GettyThe New York Yankees entered the 2026 season expecting to battle for another American League East title, but with less than three weeks remaining before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, the pressure is mounting. According to Vania Ravelo of ESPN Deportes, the Yankees can no longer rely on internal improvements if they hope to catch the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter dropping 13 of their last 21 games before the All-Star break, New York finds itself needing upgrades across several areas of the roster, with catching, the bullpen, the starting rotation, and lineup depth emerging as the organization’s biggest priorities.Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees reaches for a wild pitch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on July 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)GettyAustin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees reaches for a wild pitch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on July 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)ESPN Deportes identified catcher as New York’s most urgent need.While Austin Wells has continued to provide solid defense behind the plate, his offensive struggles have become increasingly difficult to overlook. Ali Sánchez and J.C. Escarra have also failed to deliver meaningful production, leaving the Yankees with one of the least productive catching groups in baseball.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the report, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman and Minnesota Twins backstop Ryan Jeffers are among the club’s preferred targets. Goodman has developed into one of the National League’s top power-hitting catchers, while Jeffers has enjoyed an excellent offensive season with a strong OPS.The problem, however, is availability. ESPN Deportes noted that neither Colorado nor Minnesota appears interested in moving its starting catcher, forcing general manager Brian Cashman to consider secondary options such as Luis Torrens, Jonah Heim, Logan O’Hoppe or Christian Vázquez.Read More From Heavy Who Was Ben Rice’s Home Run Derby Pitcher? Yankees Star’s Dad Stole ShowTim Hill #41 of the New York Yankees walks off the mound after pitching during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on May 07,