Yankees Rumors: Cardinals All-Star Ivan Herrera connection leaves one glaring issue

If you read the tea leaves this week, it became clear the New York Yankees had no plans to replace Austin Wells at this year's trade deadline. While Wells' offensive numbers are putrid - though he has out-homered Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - the Yankees' pitching staff has found remarkable consistency, in part because of Wells' rapport and framing behind the plate. Interrupting that and tossing it in the wastebin to bring in Shea Langeliers or Hunter Goodman in a full-time role would've included significant risk. What the Yankees need is a catcher (strong defender) who bats from the right side, with strong enough lumber to take occasional DH reps and stick in the lineup. Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals certainly has the stick for it, coming off his first All-Star appearance, and ESPN's Jorge Castillo says both the Yankees and Red Sox have spoken to the Cards about the slugger.

Only problem? He can DH regularly and his bat will absolutely give the Yankees the thump they've been missing, but concerns about his defense behind the plate have resulted in him shifting off the position in St. Louis. He's a catcher on a technicality, spending just 40 of his first 106 games playing the field this year.

Given the Yankees' love for Wells, is that the ideal ratio? Or would they rather the defense be somewhere beyond adequate if they're going to surrender real assets for 3.5 years of Herrera (2026 OPS+: 111, career mark: 121)?

Yankees' interest in Ivan Herrera goes deeper, with secondary Cardinals targets

One way the Yankees can make the deal worth their while is by expanding it; Castillo says they've also been in contact with the Cards on rental relievers JoJo Romero (a familiar Yankees target) and Ryne Stanek, as well as controllable All-Star Riley O'Brien.

Romero's on the IL, but carried a serviceable 3.35 ERA (and somewhat unsustainable 1.304 WHIP) before he got there. Still, that's an upgrade on Modern Tim Hill. Stanek is in the Camilo Doval bucket of, "Wow, how is this guy ever bad? Wait, that's how." The fastball crackles, but he's more sizzle than steak, carrying a 4.46 ERA this season.

O'Brien would be the real get, with control through 2030. As a 31-year-old, though, he won't go for sky-high reliever prices while potentially exiting his prime. It's not quite the Fernando Cruz trade, but it's not far off. Tack Herrera's on-base skills and thunderous pop onto O'Brien, and you have yourself a deal.

But you may not have yourself a catcher, which seems pretty important (and might lead to Ali Sánchez sticking around anyway).

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