Yankees Trade Value

2 of 5

Feb 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Mason Williams (97) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

If you’ve missed the first two parts of this series head here and here. The first part has the thought process. Up in the next three spots are three of the Yankees young outfielders not named Aaron Judge (not on the 40-man roster and not a part of the list)

30. OF Mason Williams

The lowest rank of the triumvirate goes to speedy center-fielder Mason Williams. Williams was thought to be eventually patrolling center as a mainstay in the Yankees lineup. Maybe a faster Brett Gardner with more pop. Even coming into last season, Williams was the 75th best prospect in the game according to mlb.com.

In 2013, between high-A and AA, Williams put up a .245/.304/.337 with 15 steals and 24 doubles. You would think the power was coming right? Well, in 2014 the struggles at AA came.

He posted a .223/.290/.304 with five homers, 28 steals and 18 doubles. The Yankees kept him around on the 40-man because of his speed, thinking another team would claim him in the Rule V draft because of that asset.

If he doesn’t get his average and OBP up, there isn’t going to be a place for him. His numbers must improve in his second full season of AA ball. If not, Williams could easily find himself DFA’d after next season in order to get another player on the 40 man roster.

Speed kills, but it can’t be everything.

Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Tyler Austin plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

29. OF Tyler Austin

Of the three outfielders we are going to look at, the one who may be the best hitter is Austin. The 23 year old has shown all sorts of hitting ability since the Yankees drafted him back in 2010 in the 13th round. The problem is the guy just can’t stay on the field.

2012: 110 games

2013: 85 games

2014: 105 games

But when he’s on the field, he hits. Last season, after a slow start in Trenton, Austin hit .275/.336/.419 with nine homers and 47 RBI. Austin can play right, third and first, which will help give the Yankees some flexibility.

Austin was able to a play for a bit in the Arizona Fall League this past season, but he only played in four games due to…..injury.

If Austin hits in the minors, and the Yankees need an additional bat, not only in the outfield, but at first, Austin could get the call to the show.

He was on the top prospect lists going into 2013, now let’s see if he can be a post-hype sleeper.

Mandatory Credit: milb.com

28. OF Ramon Flores

Flores, like Austin, can play outfield and first base, but the thing that gives him the most value on this list is the fact that he is probably the most major league ready of the three outfielders.

Like Austin, Flores has battled his own injury issues. He’s been in the Yankees organization since 2009 as a 17 year old and reached AAA for the first time last season after getting injured early in the season. Flores hit .247/.339/.443 with seven homers and 23 RBI in 63 games last season.

Flores probably doesn’t have enough power to be an everyday corner outfielder, but it doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a part of a major league roster as a lefty hitter.

Flores could be the first outfielder added in case of injury this season. Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner aren’t the picture of health all the time. For that matter, neither is Chris Young. He was just released last season by the Mets.

Flores has to continue to hit during Spring to assure himself of that, and hopefully for him, he can stay healthy and possibly make his major league debut this year.

Aug 3, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Esmil Rogers (53) throws during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

27. P Esmil Rogers

Can he start? Yes. Can he relieve? Yes. He’s pretty cheap as well, though he’s also out of options.

The Yankees acquired him off waivers last July 31 and he pitched to a 2-0 with a 4.68 ERA, and a 4.17 FIP. He struck out 23 in 25 innings, but gave up 22 hits and 13 runs.

Rogers comes in this spring as one of the candidates for the fifth starter/swingman spot in the rotation. Cheap right-handed arms who can start and relieve are nice to have, especially ones that throw hard.

The Yankees could eventually find out Rogers trade value sooner rather than later. Rogers is out of options, so if the Yankees try and send him down, they could lose him for nothing on waivers. I have a feeling he makes the roster in some sort of capacity.

Rogers can eat innings and be a valuable part of the front end of the bullpen.

Domingo German pitching in the 2014 All-Stars Futures Game. Photo courtesy of Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

26. P Domingo German

Domingo German came to the Yankees as the other part of the Nathan Eovaldi/Martin Prado deal, but to me, he could be the most interesting part of the the deal. German is just 22 years old, but had to be put on the 40-man roster because he was signed so young.

German made his way to the futures game last season, and on mlb.com’s list after the trade, was the Yankees eighth best prospect.

Here’s part of their scouting report on him:

German stands out because of his combination of upside and ceiling with feel for pitching. He has a three-pitch mix. German’s fastball is a power sinker that sits in the 91-94 mph zone. His best secondary offering is his above-average changeup, and he has an advanced feel for the offspeed pitch already. German’s slider is a work in progress, thrown at 81-84 mph, but it’s still a little too slurvy at the moment. He’s generally been a strike-thrower throughout his brief Minor League career. German still remains somewhat raw, but his powerful arm should help him start to move through the Minor Leagues faster as he builds on his success.

Next time 25-21

More from Yanks Go Yard

Home / Yankees News