Major Breaking: Yankees Confirms Major Trade replacement for Gerrit Cole
After a strong start to 2024, the New York Yankees have lost their grip on first place in the American League East. While Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon seems like a potential acquisition, it’s unlikely he will be traded. Instead, could general manager Brian Cashman target catcher Elias Diaz from Colorado?
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com discussed the performance of popular trade targets ahead of the July 30 deadline. He believes the Yankees could be a “potential fit” for the 33-year-old catcher.
“Last year’s All-Star Game MVP had a strong June (.357/.419/.536 in eight games) before a calf strain sidelined him for nearly three weeks,” Feinsand said. “Díaz returned on June 30 and continued his strong performance; he’s hitting .306 with a .790 OPS this season. With less than $3 million owed to him before he becomes a free agent this offseason, the 33-year-old could be one of the few impactful catchers available this month.”
Diaz is in the final season of a three-year, $14.5 million contract he signed with the Rockies and is earning $6 million in 2024, according to Spotrac.
How Diaz Would Fit Into the Yankees’ Catching Mix
A year after being named All-Star Game MVP, Elias Diaz is having a career season at the plate. He’s hitting .304/.350/.432 with five home runs, 29 RBIs, and 21 runs scored in his first 246 plate appearances.
With the Rockies struggling and Diaz heading for free agency, he’s a natural trade candidate. How would he fit in the Bronx, though?
The Yankees currently have Jose Trevino and Austin Wells sharing duties behind the plate. As of July 8, their combined production hasn’t been bad. New York’s 2.3 catching fWAR ranks sixth in baseball, according to FanGraphs. However, manager Aaron Boone could use more offense at the position, as Yankee catchers have a combined .695 OPS, ranking 14th in baseball.
While the Yankees could benefit from an offensive upgrade at catcher, it might not be their top priority. New York has been linked to other players to bolster the infield and pitching staff. However, if the market doesn’t favor these moves and Cashman wants to make a meaningful addition, acquiring Diaz would be beneficial.
New York Needs to Right the Ship…and Fast
On June 10, the Yankees boasted an MLB-best 47-21 record, maintaining a 2.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and riding high on an eight-game winning streak. However, things started to unravel soon after.
Over their last 22 games, the Yankees have gone 6-16 and haven’t won back-to-back contests since June 11-12, as noted by Jomboy Media’s Talkin’ Yanks X account. By the morning of July 8, they had a 55-37 record and found themselves three games behind the Orioles in the division.
Despite the slump, the Yankees still hold one of the three AL Wild Card spots, securing a firm postseason position. However, their extended downturn has raised concerns, especially after 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 when they went 76-86. With roughly half of the 2024 regular season left, the Yankees aren’t in immediate danger of missing the postseason again. Still, returning to their early-season form would certainly ease the nerves of their fan base.