New York Yankees Rumors: GM Brian Cashman Still Active in Trade Talks
The MLB Winter Meetings is over, but there are many more moves to be made by teams heading into spring training in February. One of them is the New York Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman revealed that he is not finished making moves this offseason.
"It is still incomplete. We are addressing areas of need, without a doubt. There are still steps in the process that I would like to take," Cashman said, per ESPN.
He has already acquired second baseman Starlin Castro from the Chicago Cubs, sending right-handed pitcher Adam Warren and utility man Brendan Ryan. He also sent left-handed reliever Justin Wilson to the Detroit Tigers for minor league starters Luis Cessa and Chad Green.
"I think hitting coach Alan Cockrell is loving me, and I think pitching coach Larry Rothschild is not liking me. Alan probably has a nice Christmas card coming, and I'm getting coal from Larry right now," Cashman jokingly said. He also added outfielder Aaron Hicks from the Minnesota Twins at the start of the offseason for catcher John Ryan Murphy.
The Yankees general manager has improved the infield especially the second base position having questions with Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley overall ability. The addition of Castro, who is only 25 years old and already a three-time All-Star, is a good move by Cashman considering his reasonable contract and upside.
SB Nation notes that the Yankees may now trade Refsnyder with Ackley serving as Castro's backup. He could join Andrew Miller and Brett Gardner in the list of players that are on the trading block as New York will address their main problem last season, which was starting pitching.
Acquiring a starting pitcher is still Cashman's main with Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins and a pair of Cleveland Indians starters reportedly available. Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake are still options in free agency, but the Yankees are not willing to spend big money because of the plan to make their roster cheaper and younger with more upside.
The Marlins are asking a lot for Fernandez and the Yankees are not willing to give up Luis Severino and Greg Bird. Even with the loss of Warren and Wilson, New York's bullpen looks strong with the lights out Dellin Betances for the ninth inning even if they trade Miller. Young arms like Jacob Lindgren, James Pazos, Nick Rumbelow and Tyler Webb are also in place having experienced major league pitching in 2015.
The Yankees could also retain both Miller and Gardner, but with the huge returns for relief pitching this offseason and the possibility of some teams missing out on big name outfielders in free agency, Cashman will likely let the two players go, as reported by NJ Advance Media.
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