With spring training beginning to approach quickly, the New York Yankees are still viewed as a team who could make more offseason moves.
So far, the Yankees have not done much of value outside of their organization. Keeping star outfielder Cody Bellinger was a clear offseason priority, which Brian Cashman was able to do with a five-year, $162.5 million contract.
Outside of the move to re-sign Bellinger, New York has had an underwhelming offseason.
In free agency, the Yankees also signed left-hander Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, infielder Amed Rosario to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, and right-hander Paul Blackburn to a one-year, $2 million agreement. They also traded for pitcher Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins and right-hander Angel Chivilli from the Colorado Rockies.
Needless to say, fans have not been impressed with New York’s offseason. Cashman and the front office have received some criticism for a lack of aggressiveness.
That being said, there is still time to make another move. In fact, the Yankees have now been urged to consider signing a veteran free agent catcher.
New York Yankees Connected to 35-Year Old Catcher
Just Baseball’s Cai Rogers believes that the Yankees need to add a right-handed hitting catcher. To fill that void, Rogers suggested that the team look into signing Mitch Garver.
“Garver is one of the remaining free agents who fits the profile of a player that hits lefties well, provides around league-average defense behind the plate, and should be a more affordable option,” Rogers wrote.
Garver would be an interesting target for New York. He wouldn’t be a piece that powers the Yankees to a World Series run, but he would add quality depth to the roster.
During the 2025 MLB season with the Seattle Mariners, the 35-year-old catcher played in 87 games. He hit nine home runs to go along with 30 RBI and a slash line of .209/.297/.343.
Throughout his entire MLB career, Garver has played in 651 games. He has played those games with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, and Mariners, hitting 106 home runs, driving in 309 RBI, and slashing .233/.326/.440.
What to Expect from the Yankees in 2026
Jim Bowden of The Athletic has weighed in with his prediction about what to expect from New York this season. He thinks the Yankees will finish second in the American League division race behind the Toronto Blue Jays.
As for his thoughts on the offseason that New York put together, he isn’t a fan. Bowden gave the Yankees a “C” grade, showing that he feels the same way the fans do.
Cashman is taking a gamble on basically running it back in 2026. He’s banking on players like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon coming back to full health and elevating the team’s ceiling. That coud very well happen, but it’s a risk.
Adding a veteran right-handed hitting catcher would make sense. Garver might be an option for New York if it chooses to pursue catching depth.
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