Yankees' last-ditch backup catcher option for Austin Wells retires to start offseason with a bang

The New York Yankees opted out of ponying up for Adley Rutschman at the trade deadline, balked at the asking price for Tyler Stephenson, and decided to put their faith in Austin Wells for the long haul instead. Surely, after watching Ryan Jeffers stay put and other folks' prices grow astronomical, Brian Cashman at least had to bring in some form of right-handed upgrade over Ali Sanchez ... right?

Welp. Best he could do was a guy who didn't appear in a single game and retired this week.

Though Cashman found gold on the waiver wire in John Schreiber, bullpen blessing, he couldn't pull off the same magic trick behind the plate, flying in Mitch Garver to get up to speed with Tanner Swanson, work in Scranton, and eventually reach the bigs to spell Wells against southpaws.

Instead, Garver batted .179 in nine games with the RailRiders, became dust, and was never heard from again. The 2019 Twins "Bomba Squad" catcher hung 'em up officially on Thursday after reports leaked out on Wednesday.

Damn, not even a "Thank You" Yankees bubble logo at the bottom of the graphic there? Cold world. Cold. World.

Yankees still seeking a better backup than Ali Sanchez after Mitch Garver's retirement

No, Garver wasn't in their 2027 plans. He wasn't even really in their 2026 plans! His arrival was a happy accident that amounted to absolutely nothing.

Unfortunately, his retirement is a symbolic reminder of how far the Yankees went to address the catching position last year (not very far), and the reality that upgrading from Sanchez is probably the loudest, most screamingly bold thing atop their offseason to do list.

Yes, they need relievers. Yes, they need to upgrade several vacuums across the field devoid of offensive talent. Yes, they could use a high-end platoon replacement for Amed Rosario. But hanging Wells out to dry against left-handed pitching because your righty backup catcher is a random dart throw off the scrap heap is potentially more embarrassing than neglecting any of those other holes. Those could be filled internally. The backup catcher role cannot be.

This role used to be occupied by light-hitting leaders and captains of the defense like Jose Molina and Rays manager Kevin Cash, guys you wouldn't be terrified to see in the spotlight because you knew they'd be adults. Last year, the Yankees left it up to JC Escarra, a ghostly visage of Garver, and Sanchez, who threw Camilo Doval's final out into left field against the White Sox. Happy retirement, Mitch. Can you please send someone competent in your place?

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