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3 spring training position battles that could create new Yankees trade candidates

By Adam Weinrib |
Feb 28, 2023; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Jordan Walker (67)
Feb 28, 2023; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Jordan Walker (67) / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Yankees will be eyeing potential roster improvements until the bitter end this spring training.

Though it can feel like time has stopped while watching an endless parade of Nos. 97 take their hacks in the Florida humidity, the reality is that things can turn on a dime in March. One minute, Gavin Lux is the Dodgers' starting shortstop. The next, it doesn't seem so crazy to discuss hypothetical trades that could send Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Los Angeles.

Most roster battles taking place this spring will not result in a trade, though. Many MLB teams are giving two top prospects the chance to win a starting job on Opening Day; for instance, the Brewers will not be dealing whoever comes up short in the Garrett Mitchell/Sal Frelick outfield battle.

There are a few veterans across the league who could find themselves edged out and jobless, however, as well as a couple of fringy Quad-A guys with genuine talent who might end up getting overshadowed by budding superstars.

The Yankees need to pay close attention to these three position battles as the month drags on. They also have to keep Dodgers head honcho Andrew Friedman on speed dial.

3 MLB spring training position battles that could give Yankees new trade options

3. Cardinals Outfield Battle: Jordan Walker vs. Dylan Carlson vs. Alec Burleson

The Cardinals have long felt like a natural trade fit for the Yankees, as Brian Cashman looks to find a left field option more inspiring than "Aaron Hicks again" or "plopping an Oswaldo Cabrera-sized peg in an outfield hole."

Now that Jordan Walker has emerged as the spring sensation many predicted him to be, it's possible the Cardinals' sense of urgency might increase?

There are a million interchangeable solid names in the Cards' outfield picture, and even if St. Louis has seemingly no interest in dealing Lars Nootbaar for Danny Jansen -- going so far as to sign Willson Contreras to get out of it -- there are a number of Redbird outfielders who could eventually hit the market.

Maybe it's 24-year-old switch-hitter Dylan Carlson, who reached the top of the prospect mountain only to OPS .696 with eight homers last year in regular duty. Maybe it's Alec Burleson, the 24-year-old lefty slugger who hit .331 with 20 bombs at Triple-A Memphis last year, but doesn't walk much (only a .372 OBP).

And maybe the Yankees' own position battles will help craft their end of a potential trade here. If Domingo Germán wins the fifth starter slot and the team is confident in Matt Krook/Jhony Brito, Clarke Schmidt could end up becoming the second New York starter dealt to the Cards in under a year. Probably shouldn't be, especially after all that Triple-A depth thinned out last year, but he could be.

2. Tigers Left Field Battle: Akil Baddoo vs. Matt Vierling vs. Kerry Carpenter

This battle is here with plenty of caveats, but could get interesting nonetheless. If Akil Baddoo gets beaten out by Vierling/Carpenter and the Yankees believe in the left-hander's bounce back, they could attempt to step in for a buy low opportunity.

Of course, the main problem here is that if Baddoo loses his job to that uninspiring combo, that means he looked ... really bad all spring. Best of luck to Dillon Lawson in these trying times.

Now 24 years old, Baddoo's rookie and sophomore years were mirror images, with the more impressive one unfortunately in the rearview. He burst onto the scene as a Rule 5 hope, and his star persisted all season long, ending with a 112 OPS+ and 13 bombs in 124 games in Detroit.

Last year, Baddoo plummeted to a 65 OPS+ mark with just two homers in 225 plate appearances. The raw power and speed that electrified the Motown crowd just two years ago is still in there somewhere, though, and with adjusted pickoff rules/the new bases, Baddoo's quickness could instantly become more impactful.

The Yankees would have to have a plan here, but if Baddoo gets nudged out, they might be able to turn Detroit's trash into some semblance of treasure.

1. Guardians' Fifth Starter Race: Cody Morris vs. Zach Plesac

The Yankees have been a rumored Zach Plesac destination for ages. The Guardians' old pitching guru, Matt Blake, is now entrenched in New York. The Guards also print pitching, and Plesac's penchant for finding trouble has made him somewhat undesirable in the past.

There's also a chance Plesac ends up in the Opening Day rotation by default, whether he wins the gig or not. Cody Morris, the latest top prospect coming for the crown, is battling some lat discomfort that doesn't sound major, but could still be disqualifying.

That said, as long as Morris can make it back by May, Plesac might be dangled regardless. The Yankees have an endless swath of bullpen arms at the moment, but their starting pitching is relatively thin (especially if Schmidt ends up a reliever). Germán is a capable fifth starter, but if a single other member of the rotation goes down, there could be trouble afoot.

That rotation includes Luis Severino, Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes' hamstrings. It would be a dream if they all survived through October, but the more realistic outcome is that someone must be skipped at some point.

Depending on the cost for Plesac, he could be an upgrade on the group's current upper-level depth and an excellent swingman -- as long as Blake approves of the project.

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