The New York Yankees have set their sights on St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera as the August 3 trade deadline approaches.
According to ESPN reporter Jorge Castillo, the Yankees view the 26-year-old Panamanian as a primary target to improve their offensive output from the catcher position.
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Herrera has batted .
242 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs in 106 games this season, splitting time between catching and designated hitter.
His . 362 on-base percentage contrasts sharply with fellow Cardinals backstop Pedro Pages, who has posted a .
207 average in 60 games.
Other teams expressing interest include the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers, per reporter Mark Feinsand.
Cardinals' Catching Depth Makes Herrera Expendable
St. Louis boasts an abundance of catching depth, making Herrera a prime trade candidate.
In addition to Pages and Jimmy Crooks, the Cardinals have top minor-league prospects Rainiel Rodriguez and Leonardo Bernal pushing toward the majors.
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Herrera also becomes eligible for salary arbitration for the first time at season's end.
The catching market has tightened across MLB due to injuries and team standings.
Shea Langeliers of the Athletics was removed from trade talks after suffering a meniscus tear, while the Colorado Rockies have placed a high price on All-Star Hunter Goodman.
The Baltimore Orioles have refused to entertain offers for Adley Rutschman during their postseason push.
The Minnesota Twins retain Ryan Jeffers, and the Cincinnati Reds hold Tyler Stephenson, who logged a . 910 OPS over a 30-game span.
The Miami Marlins are willing to discuss trades for versatile infielder Liam Hicks, and the New York Mets maintain high asking prices for Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens.
Teams face an August 3 deadline at 5:00 p. m.
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to finalize all trade deals.
