After a strong start in 2024, the New York Yankees have relinquished their lead in the American League East. Despite speculation that Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon could be a good match, it’s unlikely he’ll be traded. There’s now talk of General Manager Brian Cashman potentially pursuing catcher Elias Diaz from Colorado instead.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, who analyzed the performance of sought-after trade targets leading up to the July 30 deadline, Diaz could be a viable option for the Yankees. Feinsand noted that the 33-year-old catcher, who was the All-Star Game MVP last year, showed promising form in June with a .357/.419/.536 slash line over eight games before a calf injury sidelined him for nearly three weeks. Since his return on June 30, Diaz has continued to perform well, maintaining a .306 batting average with a .790 OPS this season. With less than $3 million remaining on his contract before he becomes a free agent this offseason, Diaz is seen as one of the few impactful catchers who could change teams this month.
Diaz is currently in the final year of a three-year, $14.5 million deal he signed with the Rockies, earning $6 million in 2024, according to Spotrac.
How Diaz Would Fit Into the Yankees’ Catching Mix
A year after earning All-Star Game MVP honors, Elias Diaz is in the midst of a standout season with the bat, boasting a .304/.350/.432 slash line, along with five home runs, 29 RBIs, and 21 runs scored in his first 246 plate appearances.
Given the Colorado Rockies’ struggles as one of baseball’s worst teams and Diaz nearing free agency, he’s a logical candidate to be traded. The question then arises: how would he fit in with the New York Yankees?
Currently, the Yankees are deploying Jose Trevino and Austin Wells in a catching tandem. As of July 8, their combined production has been respectable, with New York’s catching unit ranking sixth in baseball with a 2.3 fWAR according to FanGraphs. However, manager Aaron Boone could use more offensive output from the position, as Yankee catchers collectively hold a .695 OPS, which places them 14th among MLB teams.
While improving the infield and pitching staff might be higher priorities for the Yankees, they have been linked to various players for potential upgrades. If those options don’t materialize and GM Brian Cashman seeks a meaningful addition, Diaz could provide the offensive boost they desire.
In summary, while catcher isn’t their most pressing need, Diaz could offer a valuable offensive upgrade if the Yankees decide to pursue him before the trade deadline.
New York Needs to Right the Ship…and Fast
The New York Yankees started the season strong with a league-leading 47-21 record by June 10th. Despite holding just a 2.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, their form looked promising with eight wins in their last ten games. However, their fortunes took a turn for the worse thereafter.
Since June 10th, they have struggled, going 6-16 in their last 22 games and failing to win consecutive games since June 11-12, according to Jomboy Media’s Talkin’ Yanks X account. As of July 8th, their record stands at 55-37, and they find themselves three games behind the Orioles in the division race.
Despite this slump, the Yankees still hold a secure position in the postseason race, currently occupying one of the AL Wild Card spots. However, given their strong start to the season, the extended period of poor performance has raised concerns, especially considering their disappointing 2023 season.
Last year, the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, finishing with an 82-80 record, their worst in a full season since 1992 (76-86). While there is still half of the regular season remaining in 2024, the Yankees are not yet in immediate danger of missing the playoffs two years in a row. Nonetheless, fans are hoping for a return to the club’s early-season form to ease anxieties about another potential postseason miss.
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