Here's how Yankees can save face with unpopular Cade Winquest move

The New York Yankees ' selection of Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft was a rarity. The right-hander was the first selection by the club in 14 years, showing just how little they've used the acquisition method over the years. To an extent, it's no surprise. Rule 5 picks are a decent way to get some promising young talent, but for veteran-laden teams chasing rings, the restrictions they come with often prove too onerous to be worthwhile.

Even by those standards, the case of Winquest is a little strange. The 26-year-old posted an unimpressive 7.20 ERA over 10 spring training innings, making his inclusion on the Opening Day roster surprising, and his subsequent DFA without throwing a single pitch stunning.

Given the club's history of receiving very little from past Rule 5 picks, it's not a surprise that they're set to lose Winquest, but the head-scratching part is the way that they went around it. Why give away a roster spot for two-plus weeks? Why not keep a player who would have actually had some use? Why not give him a shot, and save some of the bullpen's more heavily-used arms, like Brent Headrick?

There's a way the Yankees can demote Cade Winquest and keep him, helping to justify their decision

St. Louis Cardinals fans weren't happy about losing Winquest, who has a live arm and a promising curveball. At the same time, he was extremely inexperienced for a team like the Yankees to acquire in this manner, having thrown just 42 1/3 innings above High-A (and none above Double-A). He's not a finished product, and if he had actually gotten a shot against big league hitters, it would have been a massive jump in competition for him.

Before New York ships him back to the Cardinals and recoups half of the $100K they shelled out for the right to pilfer him, they might want to follow through with what we believe their plan to be — sneak him into the minors and try to develop him further. To that end, they have options.

The easiest way would be for St. Louis to decline to take him back, thus giving the Yankees full ownership of his rights and the ability to reassign him to the minors. Given the Cardinals are rebuilding, the chances of that happening are pretty much nonexistent. But if the Yankees offered them something that fit their needs and/or timeline better? Well, that could clear a path for Winquest to stick in the system.

The Yankees can make a trade with the Cardinals to acquire Winquest's full rights and then be able to demote him at their whim with no issues. The only hitch is offering St. Louis something they value more. That's not crazy, considering St. Louis just began its rebuild and would likely prefer a younger prospect even if he's a lottery ticket that will line up better with their process.

It might be hard to see why the Yankees would want to hang onto him so badly, but the fact they almost drafted him instead of Cam Schlittler in 2022, and that he ranks as their No. 17 prospect, it should be noted that there's some real talent within him. Now they just need to figure out how to coax the Cardinals to make this happen ...