The New York Yankees could use some more depth at catcher, and the team made a move to address it.
New York has Austin Wells as its starting catcher, but the Yankees could look to add someone to be a tandem or perhaps earn the starting job. With the Yankees in need of a catcher, the team signed Miguel Palma to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, according to Ari Alexander.
Alexander wrote that Palma is ‘well-liked’ and has good makeup. He’s someone who will enter spring training looking to earn a roster spot.
Palma is a 5-foot-9 catcher who spent last season in the Houston Astros organization. He started the year in Rookie Ball, then was promoted to AA and eventually to AAA.
The 23-year-old appeared in 41 games, hitting .155 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs. However, he’s a solid defensive catcher, and New York’s defense was an issue last season, so perhaps he has a chance to earn the backup role.
The Astros signed Palma as an International Free Agent in 2018 for $300,000, which was tied for the highest money they gave a prospect that year. However, after seven years, Palma is moving on and has signed with the Yankees.
Catching Market Considered ‘Thin’ by Yankees GM
New York has a need for a catcher, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman isn’t sure there are many impact catchers.
The Yankees could look to upgrade over Wells or add some competition behind him. However, Cashman said that the catching market is thin, so the team may not add a right-handed-hitter catcher.
“I’m not going to import a terrible right-handed-hitting catcher that can’t catch,” he said. “Catching is a very thin market.”
Although the free agent catching market is thin, New York could look at the trade market. But, for now, it appears New York will remain with Wells as its starting catcher.
Wells is entering his fourth season with the Yankees. Last season, he hit .219 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs last season.
New York Having a Quiet Offseason
The Yankees have had a quiet offseason while their division rivals have been active.
New York’s big moves have been Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer and re-signing Amed Rosario. Yet, at the Winter Meetings, Cashman said the team is staying engaged and looking at makng moves, but it’s been tough so far.
“We’re just staying engaged, trying to match up with some things. But it’s been tough so far. Don’t like the asks coming our way, and I guess the opposing teams don’t like what I’m trying to pull from them on the trade stuff. We do have some conversations that possibly could lead somewhere,” Cashman said.
Cashman, however, said the Yankees will be aggressive in improving their roster.
“Everything adds up. Everything counts,” Cashman said. “We’re an aggressive franchise, but while being aggressive, we already have some very large commitments, and the more of those you have, the more it affects you in other areas. And so everything’s tied together. Our ownership has obviously demonstrated year in and year out how massively committed they are. But at the same time, that’s not an open blank checkbook either.”
New York has the second-best odds to win the World Series at +750.
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