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Hunter Goodman Could Be Solution to Yankees' Catcher Woes
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Hunter Goodman Could Be Solution to Yankees' Catcher Woes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Andrew Jamieson  |  Last updated Jul 1, 2026 12:08 PM ET
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The New York Yankees are currently in the midst of a massive slump.

Following Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers, New York has now lost six straight games and is 2-8 in its last 10 contests. To make matters worse, the Tampa Bay Rays have won six consecutive games and now hold a 2.5-game lead atop the AL East.

A major reason for the Yankees' recent struggles has been their lack of offensive production. New York has scored just 15 runs during its six-game losing streak. Even more concerning, the Yankees have recorded no more than four hits in five consecutive contests.

New York has certainly been impacted by injuries. Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain), Ryan McMahon (throat infection), Trent Grisham (right hamstring strain), and Aaron Judge (right rib stress fracture) all remain on the injured list.

While those players' absences are felt, catcher has been a season-long weakness that has grown into a priority ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline.

Hunter Goodman Could Be the Answer at Catcher

Catcher has been one of New York's biggest concerns throughout the season. Starter Austin Wells is slashing just .155/.255/.238 with four home runs and 10 RBIs across 56 games. While his defensive value is undeniable, Wells' offensive production has left much to be desired. Backup options Ali Sánchez (.641 OPS) and J.C. Escarra (.188 AVG) haven't provided much more at the plate.

Those struggles have only increased New York's urgency to upgrade behind the plate.

One player who could address that need is Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman. Across 80 games in 2026, the 26-year-old is slashing .243/.307/.541 with 26 home runs and 48 RBIs. He is tied with Yordan Alvarez for the second-most home runs in MLB, trailing only Kyle Schwarber's 30.

Beyond the immediate offensive boost, Goodman also remains under team control through the 2029 season, making him more than just a short-term rental.

The Rockies appear to be one of the few clear-cut sellers ahead of the trade deadline. Entering Wednesday, Colorado owns a league-worst 33-53 record and sits 13 games out of a Wild Card spot.

Acquiring Goodman would give the Yankees an established catcher with a successful track record. The young backstop earned his first career All-Star selection in 2025 after slashing .278/.323/.520 with 31 home runs and 91 RBIs. While Goodman's 33 percent strikeout rate is worth monitoring, his offensive upside is too good to ignore.

Goodman's trade value is also as high as it has been all season. He slashed .250/.313/.680 with 13 home runs and 25 RBIs in 26 games during June. With the Yankees in dire need of catching help, Goodman should be among the organization's top trade targets, especially with Adley Rustchman seemingly off the trade market.

The deal also makes sense from Colorado's perspective. The Rockies have just one prospect, shortstopEthan Holliday (No. 18), ranked inside MLB Pipeline's Top 20 prospects, and only three players total inside the Top 100. First baseman/outfielder Charlie Condon ranks No. 66, while outfielder/second baseman Roldy Brito sits No. 73.

With a relatively thin farm system, Colorado could view moving one of its most valuable major league assets as an opportunity to strengthen its prospect depth. That could make the Yankees an ideal trade partner, allowing New York to address its biggest weakness behind the plate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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