The Top 20 Most Valuable Players in the New York Yankees Organization

Yanks Go Yard ranks the 20 New York Yankees players with the most trade value following the 2016 season.

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been very active on the trade market in recent seasons, re-shaping his club into a younger, cheaper future contender.

The question of which Yankees players had the most trade valuable would have been laughable a few years ago. Most of the aging dinosaurs with enormous contracts had negative trade value and the farm system was pretty much barren of elite talent.

Now things are considerably different. Cashman has accumulated one of the best collections of young talent in baseball. They are one of the clubs best positioned to land the big fish of the trade market this winter, from Chris Sale to Yasiel Puig, if they are so inclined.

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So who are the most valuable Yankees trade chips as we look ahead to the Hot Stove League? Here is my highly subjective rankings. Feel free to tell me exactly how wrong I am in the comments.

The 20 New York Yankees with the Highest Trade Value this Winter:

1. Gary Sanchez– Six years of team control over one of the most exciting young power hitters in the game, plus he plays the most demanding position on the field. No one else is close.
2. Masahiro Tanaka– Even with the opt-out and UCL tear, the 27-year-old ace would cost a fortune to acquire.
3. Didi Gregorius– Even with the recent slump, Didi has had a breakout 2016 campaign. He’s cheap, plays a premium position, and has three years of team control.
4. Dellin Betances– Look at what the Yankees got for Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. Betances is younger and controlled through 2019.
5. Luis Severino– Despite his struggles, retains front of the rotation promise. Every team in the league would pay through the nose to have him. Still only 22!
6. Clint Frazier– A weak showing in Triple-A hurts his case, but he’s a breakout away from the number one spot in 2017.
7. Aaron Judge– Has shown the ability to absolutely punish the ball at the big league level, but still has a lot of work to do to achieve his immense potential. Clubs would probably be pretty wary of the strikeout rate.
8. Michael Pineda– Only one year of control remaining, but has front-of-the-rotation stuff and the price of starting pitching is sky-high.
9. Gleyber Torres– Extremely advanced for 19 and expected to begin next season in Double-A. Not as far away from MLB as he is perceived to be.
10. Blake Rutherford– Could be at the top of this list by this time next year.
11. Justus Sheffield– Should be a number 2-3 starter in the big leagues by 2018.
12. Jorge Mateo– The suspension probably won’t hurt his value with other clubs much, but the big drop in steals and disappointing year at the plate might.
13. Chance Adams– Had the best season of any Yankees minor league pitcher. Was absolutely lights-out with Double-A Trenton and looks ready to take over a rotation spot in 2017. Dark horse MLB ace.
14. Starlin Castro– Probably had negative trade value before his recent tear. Now looks like he may be finally fulfilling his immense promise, but we’ve also seen hot streaks from him before.
15. Chase Headley– Rock solid since a horrible April. Would have no problem topping the two years $26 million remaining on his deal if he were a free agent this winter.
16. Brett Gardner– Signed reasonably for two more years with a team option. Clearly in decline, but consistent track record the past few seasons and ability to handle center field gives him value. I wouldn’t want to trade for him, but someone will.
17. Miguel Andujar– Quietly enjoyed a breakout season, setting career highs in a number of offensive categories. Slowed by promotion to Trenton, but progress has been steady in climb up the ladder.
18. Dillon Tate– the fourth overall selection in the June draft just last year, Tate has lost some velocity and dealt with some mechanical issues. It sounds like the Yankees staff might be getting him back on track however, could be ready for a big leap forward next year.
19. Luis Cessa– Not a high ceiling, but a little success as a starter in the majors can go a long way. After a few solid starts Shane Greene was able to land New York Gregorius.
20. Domingo Acevedo– Has had a few nagging injuries, but the flamethrowing 22-year-old looks like a potential number one, possibly as soon as 2018.

Next: Evaluating the Yankees 2017 Rotation Options

Players with negative trade value: CC Sabathia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann

Players whose trade value is hurt by injury: James Kaprielian, Chad Green, Nathan Eovaldi