Austin Wells faces scrutiny after Yankees trade deadline inaction
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 6:30 PM
Last updated Aug 7, 2026
Austin Wells, the New York Yankees' starting catcher, enters a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves on notice following a disappointing season. As of now, he has a 59 wRC+ after struggling at the plate, making him a focal point for team criticism. Despite recent improvement, the Yankees chose not to acquire a right-handed catcher at the trade deadline, intensifying the pressure on Wells to perform. With the lineup struggling to score, all eyes are on how Wells will respond during this crucial period.
- •Wells has the lowest wRC+ by a Yankee with 250 plate appearances since 2017
- •Yankees did not reinforce catcher position at the trade deadline
- •Wells' recent performance includes a.256 batting average and 161 wRC+ since July 9
- •The Yankees currently struggle to generate offense despite recent acquisitions
- 6:30 PMYahoo Sports — All eyes on Austin Wells after deadline inactivity
"Now entrenched as the starting catcher in October, Wells is under immense pressure to continue his strong July.
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