Yanks Go Yard
FanSided

Yankees: 5 players who could be traded this offseason

By Mac Josephson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees looks on after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees looks on after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Yankees
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 24: Estevan Florial #92 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Charlotte Sports Park on February 24, 2019 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

OF Estevan Florial

Over the past two seasons, Estevan Florial has probably been the most untouchable prospect in the Yankees farm system when it comes to trade talks. This offseason I think that’s going to change if the Yankees decide to pursue another front of the rotation type starter via trade.

The 21-year-old has all the tools in the world to be an everyday center fielder in the big leagues someday but injuries have really halted his development these last two seasons. Which makes you wonder if he’s ever going to be able to stay healthy and reach his full potential. This past season Florial suffered a broken wrist in spring training and it limited him to only 74 games with the A-Advanced Tampa Tarpons. He hit .237 with 8 HR, 38 RBIs and a whopping 98 K’s in 274 at-bats.

I’m sure heading into the season the Yankees were hopeful he would earn a promotion to Double-A Trenton at some point, but he didn’t play well enough to earn one. Despite his struggles, Florial is still considered by MLB Pipeline as a top 100 prospect in the game so he still has a lot of trade value albeit not as much as he probably had a year ago.

More from Yankees News

He’s now the third-ranked prospect in the Yankee system behind pitcher Deivi Garcia and 16-year-old phenom OF Jasson Dominguez. Neither one of them is going anywhere this offseason unless they can make a trade for a superstar like Francisco Lindor. As for Florial I think the Yanks would be much more open to trading him this winter if they can acquire a starter such as Lindor’s teammate Corey Kluber.

The Yankees have learned the hard way over the years that prospect hugging can come back to haunt you. It happened with Cliff Lee in 2010 and again prior to the 2018 season when they reportedly tried to acquire Gerrit Cole from the Pirates but refused to include Miguel Andujar in a package with Clint Frazier. Cole, of course, ended up going to Houston where he’s now the best pitcher in baseball and is in the World Series.

Now I’m not saying the Yankees should go out and trade any one of their top prospects to acquire another ace, but if a certain deal makes sense this winter and the cost includes Florial they should move him. I know the front office is probably still very high on him but the number one goal next season is to win the World Series and if he’s the price they have to pay to help them get there then so be it.

Home/Yankees News