The Pinstripes encountered difficulties at the plate this season. Retaining/Acquiring a catcher with solid hitting abilities would be a boon for the Yankees as they pursue their 28th World Series title next year. The team has proactively revamped the roster in preparation for the upcoming season. Yet, amidst these changes, a particular unexpected move has transpired, necessitating a thorough explanation.

With the off-season in progress, teams are moving in full flow to keep their roster in the best shape. The Yanks are not behind in this and have used the arbitration period to trim the squad with a trade and three non-tenders. However, their move to keep Jose Trevino has brought a dilemma: Will Austin Wells be the permanent figure behind the plate, or will Trevino keep the former in check?

Both Austin Wells and Jose Trevino Are There to Claim, but Who Will be the Precious Spot’s winner?

New York is a tough place to be in. The competition is high, but the opportunities are few. No one better other than Austin Wells knows this. One of the highly rated players had to wait a year more than his friend Anthony Volpe to join his team for his first MLB adventure. Though delayed, it was worth the wait. The 24-year-old shined not only behind the wait but also at the plate. In 19 games of the season, the No. 8 Yankees prospect scored eight runs, four home runs, and 13 RBIs at an average of 0.229 and OPS of 0.742.

Given it was his first, the catcher did well. He surpassed all other catchers on the team, staking a claim for a spot for the next season. However, Wells has yet to get a confirmation on this because of the dilemma. Notably, the Yankees are a team with multiple catchers on the squad, including Jose Trevino, whom everyone expected to be non-tendered. The thought behind it was his injury problem and lack of offensive contribution. In 53 appearances, Trevino scored four HRs and 13 RBIs with an OPS of 0.570. His performance in the last season was a fall from grace, failing to meet the expectations.

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But the Yankees ignored it all. They chose to keep him, putting him in the mix of players looking to make an impact behind the plate. Though, Austin Wells is the clear winner because of his overall contribution, even better than the experienced Kyle Higashioka. But the resurfaced love for the former Texas Rangers’ catcher, after all the inconsistencies, has the equation again. It has also raised the question: Could Gerrit Cole be the reason behind this shift in the Yankees’ approach?

Who will partner 2023 Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole for the New York Yankees’ next season?

It was a memorable season for Gerrit Cole. The ace pitcher won his first Cy Young Award this year, adding more to his already prolific season and boosting his upcoming season. However, it also brought a question: With whom would Cole like to partner at the mound? Will it be Austin Wells or Jose Trevino? It looks like a basic query but needs to be addressed carefully. Notably, the job of a catcher is crucial behind the plate. The catcher has to be on the same wavelength as the pitcher to yield positive results. Because without it, there will be only conflicts, and the Yankees know it well, all thanks to an incident from the 2023 season.

Incidentally, the discomfort was visible when Cole pitched with young Ben Rortvedt during this season. During one pitch, the two players had a heated moment, which stretched to the dugout, with Cole showing his displeasure in the open. As these things can impact the morale of the team, the Yankees would not like to see something like this again. This seems to be one reason behind their trust in Jose Trevino, who has an understanding and an experience of over 160 games behind the plate with the Bronx Bombers.

It also puts the 30-year-old catcher ahead of Austin Wells, who has not even made 20 appearances yet. With the high stakes and pressure of a good start in the next season, his inexperience could become a hurdle. It could also lead to tensions in the clubhouse, with Cole expecting more from him. But the trust and praise shown by other pitchers and manager Aaron Boone on Wells could cover up the deficits here. Reportedly, all have praised the chicken parm star for his catching and offensive abilities.

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His zeal for learning new things is also a big plus. Also, Cole, who has already worked and mentored Rortvedt, could share tips to benefit the 24-year-old in the upcoming season. Also, with Trevino returning from injury, is yet to test the match fitness. It may encourage the Yankees to start Wells and place him in the rotation, curating a strong partnership for the future. Well, only time can decide what’s on the Yankees-table for both Jose Trevino and Austin Wells.

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