Stay or Go: Should Yankees bring Kyle Higashioka back for 2024?

Kyle Higashioka has been with the Yankees since 2017, but it could be the end of the road in pinstripes for the 33-year-old.

After being the backup to Gary Sanchez for five seasons, Higashioka had his chance to be the Yankees’ starter in 2022. His breakout spring training didn’t translate to the regular season as he struggled offensively. Jose Trevino, whom the Yankees brought in last offseason, eventually usurped Higashioka as the everyday catcher.

But as the backup, Higashioka was a reliable hand and worked well with the pitching staff. With the increased playing time, Higgy put up career numbers the last two seasons. And when Trevino was lost to injury, Higgy was a steadying force for the Yanks -- especially when the organization brought in younger catchers.

When the Yankees brought up Ben Rortvedt and eventually their top catching prospect, Austin Wells, Higashioka saw his playing time decrease over the final month of the season. And he potentially played his last game with the team on Oct. 1 when he went 1-for-4 with a double.

With Trevino slated to be back and younger catchers on their way up, should the Bombers bring Higgy back in 2024?

Why it could make sense to let Higashioka go

It’s pretty simple in the case of Higashioka. If Trevino is healthy enough to be the everyday catcher, do the Yankees retain Higashioka to be the backup with younger options available?

Trevino, in just two seasons with the Yanks, has outplayed Higashioka behind and at the plate. Trevino was an All-Star in 2022 and won a Gold Glove -- two accolades Higgy hasn’t gotten.

Now, the organization believes Trevino should be ready for spring training after he had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist, so it's likely the Yanks will have him on the Opening Day roster. 

Rortvedt, despite being a part of that Josh Donaldson deal, hasn't really made a name for himself in the organization aside from becoming Gerrit Cole's personal catcher, which Trevino was before his injury. So Rortvedt doesn't seem like a viable backup option. That leaves Wells.

The 24-year-old was touted as having an MLB-ready bat and it began to show in the final weeks of the season. In 19 games, Wells hit four homes runs, including three in his final five games, and drove in 13 runs. That's nearly half the homers Higgy had in 92 games in 2023.

Without the offensive production, it'll be relatively easy to go with a stable of Trevino and Wells in 2024 to get the most, offensively, out of that position.

Why it could make sense to keep Higashioka

In all honesty, it feels like the only way the Yankees consider bringing Higashioka back is if Trevino isn't fully healed from his wrist surgery. For the sake of a mostly veteran pitching staff, New York needs a veteran backstop.

It also helps that Higashioka has been in the organization for seven years and knows most, if not all, of the pitchers on the staff already. In this scenario, Higashioka would be the backup to Wells. 

He can be the mentor for Wells while giving the young catcher a day or two off, because the Yanks need more offense and the 24-year-old gives them that pop they've been missing since Sanchez. 

Also, if Cole doesn't gain a good rhythm with Wells, he'll need Higashioka to throw to. As particular as the Yankees ace is, the team won't want to rock the boat too much with him -- and Higashioka could be the security blanket.

VERDICT

Simply put, Higashioka, while a clubhouse fixture and a beloved member of the organization, has not put up the offensive production to warrant a spot on the team.

Barring a setback in Trevino's recovery, the Yankees should use Wells as much as possible to see if they really have a potent bat out of the catcher's spot. 

Of course, Trevino will likely be the everyday catcher with Wells being the backup and designated hitter at times, but that should be suffice for the Yankees heading into 2024.