The NY Yankees may take an extra look at free agent Cuban star Yoan Moncada heading into spring training and Brian Cashman also could look at a Cole Hamels trade or a deal with Jordan Zimmermann later in the year and this comes as the Yanks need to shore up their rotation with CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka coming off of injuries.
The Yankees are about to start spring training and while the team likely will not make any major splashes before the season starts, there is a chance something could happen. According to the NY Post, Moncada had a second "secret" workout with the Yankees and while that doesn't mean he will be signed, it does show that the Yankees are interested. The Dodgers reportedly are also interested and according to Buster Olney, right now they are the favorites.
The Yankees have some question marks about the pitching rotation and that could lead to Cashman looking for deals on the trade market. While that may not happen now, it could happen during the summer closer to the deadline depending on how the Yankees perform this season. The Yankees need some extra depth, as they have Sabathia and Tanaka coming off of injuries, while Ivan Nova is recovering from Tommy John.
Hamels has reportedly asked for a trade for the Phillies and this comes as he has been shopped all offseason. Ruben Amaro has said that four teams have made real offers, while the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox made an offer last month. The Phillies have been looking for prospects over major league players and if he is not moved now, he could be dealt this summer. Zimmermann has been mentioned as a target as well, as the Nationals signed Max Scherzer this offseason.
Moncada can play third base, second base and shortstop and that makes him a solid fit for the Yankees. The team has Chase Headley at third and traded for Didi Gregorius, but at second base they have an opening. The team has not really replaced Robinson Cano and some scouts have compared Yoan Moncada to Cano and that could make him an interesting fit for the position. The 19 year old is rough around the edges, but he can be a solid option for the Yankees.
ESPN.com writer Andrew Marchand mentioned that one scout said that Yoan Moncada would be the number one pick if he was in the draft and that is why so many teams are interested. The Yankees are listed in what they can spend on international players and that likely will keep the team from signing him. ESPN reports that Moncada could sign for anywhere between $30 million and $50 million and since the Yankees are over the spending limit, they would be taxed a ton. That likely makes him not an option for the Yankees.
The Yankees come into 2015 with high expectations and they are looking to win more games than last season as they try and get back to the playoffs for the first time in two years. The Alex Rodriguez saga also should be interesting to watch.