I wrote above 16 days ago:
On the flip side, I don't get why Austin Wells is a top 100 guy for some people when it's completely unclear what position that would be at. He has only caught (and DHd) in his three years in the minors so far, but no one seems to think he can stick there in MLB. Much like with Miguel Andujar, NY refuses to accept this reality and play him at least some at a position where he could maybe succeed (1B?).
He has still not actually played anywhere besides C or DH, but finally today:
"Aaron Boone said the Yankees would like to get Austin Wells some looks at first base. They also feel like he’s made some strides at catcher."
Guys, I am just a bozo sitting at home, and this is your multi-billion dollar business, please be more on top of things than I am. Thank you for your attention to this situation.
Also, 'would like to get him some looks at first base'? Does he need certification or something? Why is this happening so slowly? NY wants so badly to develop their own catchers that they literally have five on the roster in AA now, most of those 5 have of course played the IF some, but Wells still does not have a single game there. He is presumably coming up as one of the two Sept 1 additions, so get him some games at a second position now or let him catch a lot down the stretch. NY did this last year with Cabrera too, he barely played the OF at all before they promoted him and put him out there every day. He was somehow great but still not the prudent way to do things.
NY has catching decisions to make after the season, Wells is a definite protect for his bat, Agustin Ramirez pretty close now too, but also 24 year old Carlos Narvaez (Omar's cousin) has been in Scranton most of the year, has a .807 OPS and a good defensive rep. Add that to Trevino, Higgy and Rortvedt and you have some serious 40 man protection decisions to be made, and the first of those is 'can Austin Wells catch in MLB or is he a 1B and/or DH'?
If Wells cannot catch, start grooming him as Rizzo's replacement at 1B. Move on from one of Trevino/Higgy, Rortvedt moves to #1 or #2 and gets a real chance, Narvaez and Ramirez in the minors. If Wells can catch, then maybe don't protect Narvaez and keep your fingers crossed no one grabs him. NY should have a lot of 40 man flexibility this winter to protect guys, a rare positive from having so many wastes of space on the roster now.
