Hunter Goodman emerged as a primary trade target for the New York Yankees before the 2026 trade deadline, but the Colorado Rockies held onto the 41-homer catcher through the summer.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported before the deadline that the Rockies sought multi-player packages featuring top prospects from interested suitors.
Conversations involving the Yankees, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, and Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson ultimately yielded no agreements, Pinstripes Nation reported. Links to Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers also produced no deal.
Goodman remained in Denver through the stretch run, finishing 2026 with a .245 batting average, 41 home runs, 88 RBIs, and an .839 OPS across 138 games. He became the eighth catcher in MLB history to hit 40 home runs in a single season and led National League starting catchers in home runs and total bases, according to MLB.com. His 25 away-game home runs surpassed Johnny Bench’s 1972 National League record of 24.
Rival MLB teams believe the Rockies are more willing to move All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman this offseason than they were at the trade deadline. One reason: While labor uncertainty is making it difficult to trade pending free agents, Goodman is under control through 2029.
Labor Uncertainty Shifts Colorado Stance
The collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, creating widespread anxiety across baseball regarding a potential work stoppage. Major League Baseball clubs remain hesitant to trade for players who are one year away from free agency under such labor friction.
That dynamic alters valuations for sellers holding players with extended club control. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on X that rival MLB executives believe the Rockies are more open to moving Goodman this winter than they were in July.
“The industry-wide expectation is that the Rockies are more motivated to listen on Goodman now,” Morosi wrote, pointing to a team control timeline that runs through 2029. “One factor is that while pending free agents are difficult to move amid labor ambiguity, he has years of team control remaining.”
Goodman enters his first year of arbitration this winter. MLB Trade Rumors projects his 2027 salary at $6.2 million.
Rockies Seek Pitching Prospects to Fix High ERA
Colorado’s pitching struggles provide a direct counterweight to their willingness to deal. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report said that the Rockies finished last in the majors with a 5.48 ERA in August, leaving rotation depth as their primary organizational need.
Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN identified high-ceiling pitching prospects as the focal point for any potential trade with Colorado. The Yankees possess several arms fitting that description, including Elmer Rodriguez, Carlos Lagrange, and Ben Hess.
Defensive evaluation remains another variable in any potential deal. Robert Murray of FanSided reported that rival evaluators doubted Goodman’s defensive fit behind the plate ahead of the summer deadline.
Current Yankees Catcher Depth
Austin Wells enters the winter as New York’s primary catcher, with arbitration eligibility ahead. The organization’s upper-level catching depth also includes J.C. Escarra and defensive specialist Ali Sánchez.
Ben Rice has previous catching experience but is not currently factored into the primary catching mix. Ryan Jeffers remains available on the free-agent market as a less costly alternative for clubs seeking catching help without surrendering elite prospects.
Morosi’s report did not indicate that formal negotiations between the Yankees and Rockies are currently active. The December 1 deadline serves as a key checkpoint for front offices across the league.
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