Yankees Held Secret Second Workout With Moncada Last Night

Just as Yoan Moncada’s workouts were thought to be nearly complete, the 19 year old held a second, secret, workout just for the New York Yankees. Already a favorite to land Moncada, this workout may have just pushed the Yankees over the top.

Moncada was in Tampa working out at George Steinbrenner Field last night, the spring training site for the Yankees. While the Yankees have been very light at second base since Robinson Cano left for Seattle, the Yankees suddenly may have too many players for the position. Rob Refsnyder had a fantastic year in the minors last year and should see some time at the big league level this year. Jose Pirela is more of a utility player, but would be the future second baseman if not for Refsnyder. Adding Moncada, a projected second baseman, would further clog second base and would force the Yankees to make some interesting decisions.

Refsnyder is not a natural second baseman. He played right field in college and should probably prepare to go back to the position. Carlos Beltran’s body is starting to falter and may not have the ability to be an everyday right fielder anymore. This is pure speculation, but I doubt Brett Gardner finishes his current contract in pinstripes. There is also Aaron Judge, the Yankees minor league outfielder that is drawing comparisons to a young Giancarlo Stanton.

If the Yankees sign Moncada, they have to be committed to him. He will cost them upwards of $60 million dollars, maybe more. A Dodgers international scout said the Dodgers are willing to go up to $40 million to sign Moncada, meaning if the Yankees match the amount it would cost them $80 million after the 100% penalty for going over the international spending limit.

As Moncada has more workouts, it is becoming more and more apparent that he is not a shortstop and probably not a third baseman. This could change, as he is still a teenager, but it seems teams are most comfortable with him at second base. This would push Refsnyder to the outfield within two years. The Yankees could be looking at an infield of Gregory Bird at first, Moncada at second, Didi Gregorius at short, Chase Headley at third, Refsnyder in left, Jacoby Ellsbury in center, and Judge in right – quite a change from the 2015 Yankees.

The Yankees youth is starting to come together. Moncada would need 1-2 years to be ready for the Bronx, while the team would feel the pressure to bring him up because of the investment. A lot of pieces need to be adjusted to make Moncada work. This secret workout may have been more for the Yankees to be sure they really want to invest in him rather than to make Moncada comfortable with the idea of playing for New York. Regardless, the Yankees should be making a major decision regarding Moncada in the next few days. Moncada wants to be signed by this time next week.