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2w ago

Yankees Plan To Keep Austin Wells As Their 2027 Starting Catcher

The club cites his second-half rebound and modest arbitration cost as reasons to pair him with a right-handed platoon to handle left-handed pitching.

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Overview

  • A report from Joel Sherman and multiple outlets says the Yankees expect Wells to be their Opening Day catcher for 2027.
  • Wells posted a dismal first half (.155/.247/.258) but improved after the All-Star break to .229/.351/.436 with a 120 OPS+, and he caught 122 games in 2026.
  • Wells hit extremely poorly against left-handed pitchers (.122/.192/.244 in 99 plate appearances), which has driven the club’s search for a right-handed platoon or backup.
  • Carson Kelly has emerged as a leading one-year platoon target because he owns a mutual option with the Cubs and hit lefties at about .298/.375/.496 with a 143 wRC+ in recent work.
  • Wells is projected to make roughly $2.6 million in arbitration for 2027, a cost that helps justify keeping him and using payroll to add a specialist and address other roster needs.