MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees, Rays Scouting Catcher; Pirates, White Sox Complete Trade Major League Baseball’s trade deadline remains weeks away, but teams are already preparing for potential roster changes. The Yankees and Rays are actively scouting Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, while the Pirates and White Sox finalized a trade that will impact the 2026 MLB Draft. The Yankees have struggled at the catching position this season. Their current options, primarily Tyler Wells, have combined to hit .175/.252/.272. This performance has prompted the team to seek a replacement, with Jeffers emerging as a target. The 29-year-old catcher, who returned from a hamate bone injury sidelined since May 18, went 1 for 4 with a double in Friday’s Angels-Twins game. For the season, Jeffers has a .294/.408/.540 line with seven home runs in 38 games. His career OPS+ is 109 across parts of seven MLB seasons. The Twins, currently three games behind first place in the AL Central and one game behind the third AL wild card spot, may be reluctant to trade Jeffers. However, the Yankees’ interest has drawn attention, with the Rays also scouting him on Friday. The Pirates and White Sox completed a trade that affects the draft. The Pirates acquired reserve infielder Jacob Gonzalez, a 24-year-old rookie and former No. 15 overall pick in 2023, and lefty reliever Brandon Eisert from the White Sox. In exchange, the Pirates sent the White Sox the 34th overall pick in Saturday’s MLB Draft and minor league reliever Jaden Woods. Gonzalez is expected to serve as the regular shortstop while phenom Konnor Griffin recovers from a thumb injury. Eisert, 28, has an ERA+ of 88 and an FIP of 4.52 over parts of three MLB seasons. The White Sox now hold the Nos. 1, 34, and 41 picks in the draft, retaining competitive-balance picks. Woods, 24, has an ERA of 4.#yankees #rays #white_sox #pirates #twins
