New York Yankees Joel Sherman The Yankees need change at catcher — how much depends on big Austin Wells question By Joel Sherman Published Oct. 12, 2026, 1:19 p.m. ET Yankees catcher Austin Wells reacts after grounding into a double play during the fourth inning of Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post We are beginning a multi-part series about how the Yankees should handle each position this offseason, beginning with this behind the plate question:
In the first half, he was among the worst regularly used offensive players in the majors with a .155/.247/.258 slash line for a 42 OPS-plus in 220 plate appearances.
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In the second half, he was .229/.351/.436 for a 120 OPS-plus in 168 plate appearances, and carried that into the postseason, when he was among the few Yankees who hit well in both rounds, going 5-for-17 with four walks. Do not dismiss the walks — when Wells draws them and/or works in more positive counts, he is just a better hitter. His 14.3 walk percentage in the second half was tied for 12th in the majors (minimum 150 plate appearances).
