Yankees: 3 notable players on 40-man roster that could still be traded

The New York Yankees seem to be done with the heavy lifting at the moment in wake of the DJ LeMahieu, Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon transactions, but we’re not going to rule out one more big trade from general manager Brian Cashman either before Opening Day or by the middle of the summer.

At this point, the Yankees can’t spend much more because their payroll is pressed up against the $210 million luxury tax threshold. That’s why they’re probably finished in free agency (with the exception of one more cost-effective deal and some camp invites), which makes a trade the most likely scenario in which they add another impact player.

Who will it be? We don’t know! One might not even happen But Luis Castillo seems like the best option if the Cincinnati Reds are out of contention come July. He’s making $4.2 million for the 2021 season, which will be reduced to about $2 million by the time the trade deadline rolls around.

We’ll continue to be optimistic and hope Cashman pulls one off since we know how fed up he is answering questions at the end of the year about how the last 11 seasons have been a failure. On that note, one player (or more!) will likely have to be moved off the 40-man roster in order to make any blockbuster trade happen.

Here are three notable names that could be moved.

3. Miguel Andújar

The Yankees have no room for Miguel Andújar on their roster right now.

If not for his high ceiling, the Yankees would’ve moved on from Miguel Andújar. But he’s too valuable to simply cut ties with. At the same time, the Yankees don’t want to move him for nothing while his value is at an all-time low. The 2018 Rookie of the Year runner up missed pretty much all of 2019 with a shoulder injury and returned in 2020 only to see his starting job at third base get snatched by Gio Urshela the year prior.

There’s no immediate solution to get him playing time, but if there’s one thing we learned about the Yankees these last few years it’s that they can’t seem to avoid the injury bug. Something will happen and create playing time for someone. Urshela is recovering from offseason elbow surgery, and though he said he’ll be ready for Opening Day, we won’t believe it until we see it.

Perhaps there’s a plan to get the slugger some DH or first base reps. Maybe Urshela is eased into action to kick off the year and Andújar finds some time at third base. We honestly have no idea. But the Cashman thing to do would be to rebuild his value somehow in order to make him an attractive trade candidate again.

Also, after his agent called out the Yankees last year for demoting him to the alternate site, Andújar hired a new one this week. Could that mean a trade is more likely? Or that he found a new agent that’s on board with the Yankees’ plan to figure something out that’s better than the current situation? Something’s gotta give, but if we’re going to bet, Andújar will not be on this roster by the trade deadline.

2. Deivi Garcia

If the Yankees acquire more pitchers, someone on the starting staff has to go.

Deivi Garcia made his MLB debut in 2020 to the tune of six starts. He also started Game 2 of the ALDS before he was pulled after the first inning, but we won’t get into that right now.

Though the 21-year-old looked impressive for making only 11 Triple-A appearances, the Yankees have no idea what to expect out of him. His outings were a mixed bag. It’s clear he’ll be competing for a rotation spot, too, because the Bombers plan to roll with Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery and Domingo German as well.

Garcia, the Bombers’ No. 3 overall prospect, could be one of the centerpieces in a package for a guy like Castillo. He’s young. He showed he can handle MLB competition. He’s not afraid to go after hitters. He could easily be a valuable building block for a starting rotation.

Most Yankees fans would love to see his ascension in the Bronx, but the Yankees are going to have to give to get in any hypothetical big trade. And with the farm system consisting of so many promising young arms, including Alexander Vizcaino, Luis Medina, Luis Gil, Yoendrys Gomez, and one other we’re about to talk about, there’s certainly a surplus to deal from.

And let’s be real. For as much as we loved Deivi’s cup of coffee, nobody is going to be opposed to trading him in a package for a No. 2-caliber starter.