Just over a week before the August 3rd MLB Trade Deadline, the catcher market has been thrown into complete chaos. Athletics All-Star backstop Shea Langeliers suffered a torn right meniscus while running the bases against the Minnesota Twins on July 26. Placed on the 10-day injured list, the 28-year-old slugger is weighing season-ending surgery. This devastating injury abruptly ended any speculation that he could be moved.
Jul 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Impact of Losing Langeliers
Before his injury, Langeliers was putting together an terrific year as one of baseball’s elite two way characters. On the hitting side, Langeliers slashed .263/.332/.497 with 51 RBIs and a 127 wRC+. He is tied for 11th in the majors and 6th in the American League for home runs with 23.
Behind the plate, Langeliers took a big step forward in throwing out runners compared to 2025. He has thrown out 17 runners while only allowing 36 stolen bases this year, a much higher clip than his 18 caught-stealings to 97 stolen bases last season. His DRS increased from -10 in 2025 to 5 in 2026.
All stats per Fangraphs.
Jul 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (15) gestures as he rounds the bases on a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Impact on the Trade Market
The market for Langeliers was very robust. Bob Nightengale reported that the Boston Red Sox “salivated over the idea of having Shea Langeliers behind the plate.” Adding Langeliers would have given the Red Sox a much needed offensive boost while also filling a defensive hole behind the plate. Meanwhile, their American League East rivals, the New York Yankees, as well as the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox, monitored his availability as they gear up for postseason runs.
With Langeliers off the board, teams must shift to new catchers on the market. With a .260/.331/.557 slash line and a 124 wRC+, Colorado Rockies‘ Hunter Goodman is the closest to Langeliers in offensive production. Following Langeliers injury, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox turned towards Goodman as a replacement.
Teams that are looking for more budget catchers to fill roster gaps like the Rays and White Sox may prioritize Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson or Twins’ Victor Caratini.
Additionally, front offices that are looking for the offensive production of Langeliers or Goodman, but aren’t as desperate may look to the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers and New York Mets‘ Francisco Alvarez. These players were not likely to be trade candidates while Langeliers was on the market, but now with his absence, these teams may look to sell their catchers to capitalize on the market void.