With manager Joe Girardi expressing his concern with the pitching rotation for the New York Yankees, trades could become how the team addresses the need for depth. According to general manager Brian Cashman, the Yankees are still seeking to be active in the offseason as he favors trades over high-priced contracts. However, there is a limit to what he is willing to give up in those trades as the young players on the roster appear safe for now.
According to the New York Post and confirmed by Girardi, Rob Refsnyder is going nowhere despite reports of a potential trade. The infielder saw brief playing time in 2015 as the Yankees hyped up the young prospect. However, the faith in Refsnyder to contribute in 2016 was apparently not strong enough as the Yankees went out and acquired Starlin Castro. According to Girardi, Castro will take over at second base while Didi Gregorius leads the short stop position. That leaves Refsnyder as the odd man out.
ESPN's Andrew Marchand reports that if available, Refsnyder could garner a lot of interest, but at the moment the Yankees are not moving him Instead, Dustin Ackley will serve as a rotational guy while Refsnyder likely heads back down to the minor leagues. The Yankees hope another stint in AAA will allow the young prospect to develop a little more before moving up to the roster full-time.
The Yankees need a pitcher and a player like Refsnyder could get them what they want. As the team continues to be linked to Jose Fernandez in a trade with the Miami Marlins, Refsnyder would be the idea player to add into a package. So would Greg Bird, but Girardi is also noting that is not happening. Bird's spot in 2016 is a question mark. The first baseman made a good name for himself filling in for Mark Teixeira last year. Considering the veteran's injury history, the Yankees cannot afford to give Bird up. The young prospect is making it clear he would like to be the starter in 2016.
"I would honestly like to start the season with the team," Bird said, via YES Network's Yankees Hot Stove. "That's what everyone works for. And I guess once you have a taste of that, that's where you want to be. But I understand that there's another side to it. I just have to work hard and be the best I can be."
The Yankees are favoring youth over everything. Instead of giving up young talent, the Yankees will instead shop players like Ivan Nova or Brett Gardner. ESPN.com reports the Yankees have been eyeing a deal for those two players since the start of the offseason and so far no one is biting. That might be the case moving forward meaning the Yankees might have to get creative when finding pitching help.
