Amid an up-and-down 2026 MLB season for the New York Yankees, the club is expected to be among the most aggressive buyers ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. Entering the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 54-44 record, the Yankees are only two games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the American League East.
Since Aaron Judge went down with a rib injury on May 31, the Yankees have gone 18-21 in his absence. With New York feeling the weight of Aaron Judge’s injury, the team is reportedly exploring offensive upgrades ahead of the trade deadline.
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Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers has emerged as a potential target, with industry speculation continuing to link the Yankees to the veteran backstop.
According to a recent article from Bob Nightingale of USA Today, “scouts from the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays were at Wrigley Field over the weekend to closely watch Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers.” A report from MLB reporter Francys Romero shared that the Yankees are planning to use Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez as assets to facilitate any trades ahead of August 3.
“Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez are two of the key pieces the Yankees are planning to use as trade assets ahead of the Trade Deadline, according to industry sources,” Romero shared on X.
Although both players have experienced inconsistent seasons in the majors, Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez remain among the Yankees' most talented young position players. Jones has appeared in 30 games this season, slashing .233/.317/.370 with two home runs and seven RBIs, while Dominguez has hit .235/.273/.412 with five home runs and 11 RBIs across 37 games.
In his 41 games ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Chicago Cubs, Jeffers is slashing .292/.402/.547 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. Should the Yankees find a way to acquire Jeffers, they would be welcoming a significant offensive upgrade at catcher.
While there are still a couple of weeks before the trade deadline, the Yankees will soon have to decide whether giving up two of their young outfielders is worth it to acquire a proven catcher such as Jeffers.
