Yankees rely on homegrown stars and target catcher Ryan Jeffers

In the 2026 MLB season the New York Yankees have leaned on players developed in their own minor‑league system. Aaron Judge leads the lineup, while prospects Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice have posted WAR figures of 2.9 and 2.2 respectively, helping the club stay competitive despite injuries to recent free‑agent signings such as Gerrit Cole and Max Fried.

Facing a persistent weakness at catcher, the Yankees have identified Twins starter Ryan Jeffers as a primary target before the trade deadline. Jeffers, a right‑handed batter with a solid defensive record, would provide depth at a position the team considers hard to replace without a trade.