New York Yankees Active in the Trade Market?
Though the annual 2015 GM meeting isn’t set to begin until two days from now in beautiful and sunny Boca Raton, Florida, it seem’s as if Brian Cashman is already being active and aggressive in trade discussions;
According to baseball insider Ken Rosenthal, one American League official said it ‘sounds like the Yankees are shopping everyone.’
However, Brian Cashman told Rosenthal that he doesn’t anticipate trading any of his top three prospects — 21-year old Luis Severino, 22-year old Gregory Bird or 23-year old Aaron Judge. But, the GM did admit that he was being aggressive early on is discussions.
"“I’m open to anything,” Cashman said. “I’m always open to anything. I’m not afraid.“"
Brett Gardner has been the most notable Yankee linked to trade discussions since the end of the 2015 season, and it’s no secret why. Without a no-trade clause and Gardner only being owed $39.5 MM over the next three seasons, he is the only Yankee veteran signed to a tradable contract. Despite his history of second half struggles, The Yankees can still market Gardner as a solid leadoff hitting center fielder with a stellar glove to teams who are in the hunt for outfield upgrades but won’t be able to afford top-of-the-market guys like Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton or Jason Heyward, each of whom the Yankees might be interested in.
On a quick side note, according to MLB Hot Stove, the Yankees were discussing the possibility of trading veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran yesterday evening, but it’ll likely be very hard to do so as Beltran possess’ a full no-trade clause, and following the birth of his newborn baby, his preference is probably to stay in New York instead of relocating his family again.
If history repeating itself is any indication of things to come, the Yankees will probably be making a trade relatively soon. Last off-season Cashman made a total of five trades before New Years Day, including the key acquisitions of Nathan Eovaldi, Didi Gregorius and Justin Wilson amongst others.
Prospect wise, with Severino, Bird and Judge probably ‘untouchable’, the Yankees are still equipped with a surplus of young trade chips, including Gary Sanchez, who is absolutely tearing up the Arizona Fall League right now. Other tradable prospects include Jorge Mateo, who the Yankees refused to trade for Craig Kimbrel during the deadline, as well as Rob Refsnyder, Eric Jagielo and James Kaprielian.
Last off-season we learned that under the Yankees new business model, anything is possible when it comes to the creativity of Brian Cashman. No one would have predicted that former top prospect Manny Banuelos and players like Shane Greene and Martin Prado would be moved in the 2014 off-season.
Get ready Yankee fans! Surprises are fun! Who do you think the Yankees will trade and who do you think the Yankees might acquire? Let us know in the comment’s below!
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