5 trades Yankees can make once the lockout ends

Willson Contreras – Catcher

The Yankees also decided to sign onto the Gary Sanchez roller coaster yet again this offseason. However, it’s not a guarantee they did it to keep him on the roster. They might be looking to trade the catcher while hoping for a more viable option. One catcher expected to be on the market is the Chicago Cubs’ Willson Contreras.

The Yankees can get a reliable offensive weapon behind the plate. His power numbers have never really faltered, and his .237 batting average is the worst of his career, but it is still worlds better than what the Yankees were getting from the position the last two seasons. Sanchez has trouble getting above the Mendoza line.

He is also a much better defensive catcher. Contreras only made it to the top ten in passed balls once, and that was back in 2018. In 116 games behind the plate last season, Contreras had just three passed balls. He had zero passed balls in 2020. That takes a major issue plaguing the Yankees last season and makes it a strength right off the bat.

The Yankees have to do something with the catcher position.