RUMOR: A NEW CATCHER IS ON THE YANKEES TRADE DEADLINE WISHLIST

It's early, but I'm already thinking about this years trade deadline. Usually by now I have a decent list of players on my wish list but this year it's a little bit different. This year, if the Yankees continue to stay relatively healthy they can focus on adding pieces they want not just pieces they need to replace injuries.

Weird to think about, but this years trade deadline is just over six weeks away on August 2nd and the Yankees are are still thinking about Willson Contreras, read more HERE but so are a lot of other teams. Let's face it, the Cubs are in full rebuild mode. Contreras is the last big name left that holds any weight with their fan base....but his days in a Cubs uniform are numbered.

The Cubs and Contreras have not come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension and he is a free agent at the end of the season so he's on his way out of Chitown. Back in March we wrote RUMOR: YANKEES HAVE CHECKED IN ON YET ANOTHER CATCHER and the Yankees are still interested.

Before Jose Trevino, the connection to Contreras made a lot of sense. Trevino's done well for the Yankees while Kyle Higashioka has struggled....but can Trevino continue to perform at this level? His career .245 BA leaves me skeptical but I hope he proves me wrong. The Yankees have time to sit back and watch for a bit. 

But the Yankees aren't the only ones that will sit back and watch. The Astros and the Mets are considered favorite landing spots for Contreras and I think the Mets would be willing to give more to get him. As bad as the Astros production has been from behind the plate I think they will continue to trust Martin Maldonado and give him the chance to work through his issues. On the other hand, the Mets have already proven they are willing to make a big splash to win and James McCann hasn't lived up to their expectations so I think they will push harder to get Contreras.

But this is why I get excited about trade deadline rumors. I love the speculation and possibilities and this year if the Yankees continue on their current path they can add to strengthen the roster from a place of want and not just need. 

The Yankees have been tied to Contreras for a while now....it will be interesting to see if he eventually ends up in the Bronx. Good thing is we still have plenty of time to speculate. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj