RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesYankees predicted to acquire Marlins .799 OPS catcher as Austin Wells replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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With the New York Yankees in search of catching upgrades this summer, it's clear that Austin Wells is likely to be replaced by the 2026 MLB trade deadline.
While they might have catchers in their trade targets, there is a real question of which catcher they land. Ryan Jeffers has become a bit of a question mark, Hunter Goodman is very expensive, and some of the other options are a bit lackluster.
That is, except for the .799 OPS Miami Marlins catcher that ESPN's David Schoenfield is predicting the Yankees will end up trading for this season: Liam Hicks.
Yankees predicted to trade for Marlins' Liam Hicks
"Marlins trade Liam Hicks to the Yankees," Schoenfield predicts. "... Hicks is the better fit, even though he has spent more time at DH than catcher for the Marlins."
Hicks hasn't been a full-time catcher like some of the other top trade candidates, playing 26 games at first base and 41 at designated hitter.
He still has suited up 37 times behind the plate and is more than good enough of a hitter to make up for questionable defense behind the dish.
Offensively, Hicks has a .283 batting average in 343 at-bats this season with 97 hits, 54 runs scored, nine doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 60 RBIs, three stolen bases, a 38-walk to 38-strikeout ratio, and a .799 OPS.
MORE : Yankees are ‘ leading candidate ’ to trade for Twins ’ Ryan Jeffers
This season, Hicks has a 125 OPS+, meaning he is 25% better than the league-average hitter. Getting that production from the catcher position would be incredible for the Yankees.
But, as a 27-year-old catcher under club control through 2030, he's going to be a bit costly. While it might not be as much as the Colorado Rockies are asking for in exchange for Goodman, Hicks will still be a bit pricey.
However, if Brian Cashman is approaching this deadline seriously in a wide-open American League, then adding someone like Hicks would be well worth the likely high price tag.
Hicks would be a fantastic replacement for Wells, and this prediction from Schoenfield is one that Yankees' fans should hope actually comes true.
More MLB news:
Red Sox ‘ would love ’ to trade for Angels ’ Zach Neto or Astros ’ Jeremy Pena
Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
Mets ‘ desperate ’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure
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