New York Yankees Linked to Royals All-Star Catcher at Trade Deadline

The New York Yankees are poised to make a massive splash at this season's MLB trade deadline.

Kade Kistner | Jul 18, 2023

New York Yankees Linked to Royals All-Star Catcher at Trade Deadline /

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The New York Yankees are poised to make a massive splash at this season's Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline.

One area they will look to upgrade is at the catcher position.

Kansas City Royals All-Star Salvador Perez has been named as a potential fit for the Yankees according to Baseball Essential's Brad Wakai.

New York needs to make an upgrade at a position that currently features Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka. Trevino is slashing just .214/.262/.318 this season while Higashioka is posting a .229/.266/.389 slashline.

The Yankees desperately need offense, especially with the loss of Aaron Judge. While the catcher position is usually known as a defensive position rather than offensive production, Perez brings the best of both worlds.

Having won a World Series, Perez is a consummate veteran who can provide unparalleled leadership in the clubhouse. Additionally, he is a five-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time All-Star.

Additionally, he's hitting .258/.299/.444 with 15 home runs this season. His home run total is more than both Yankees catchers combined.

Perez would be seen as a massive upgrade at the position and could be one piece of the puzzle that helps push the Yankees over the top in their quest for another World Series appearance.

The only question remains is how much the Royals will ask to move their paragon and leader and whether or not New York will be willing to meet their price. But a trade sooner rather than later may be the best course of action for the Yankees at this juncture.

Published Jul 18, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is an editor for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.