New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman doesn’t rule out team making a trade before Opening Day: "It’s possible. Dialogue is ongoing"
With the New York Yankees' planned Opening Day pitching rotation in shambles, and left field still being manned by anti-fan favorite Aaron Hicks, general manager Brian Cashman addressed questions from the media as to whether he plans on making a trade to improve matters before Opening Day.
Brian Cashman on if he’s anticipating bringing in someone new before Opening Day: “It’s possible. Dialogue is ongoing. It’s always hard to pull off anything but you have to go through the motions to see if it’s possible.”
"It’s possible. Dialogue is ongoing. It’s always hard to pull off anything but you have to go through the motions to see if it’s possible." New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on whether the team will make a trade before Opening Day, via @ChrisKirschner
With the team's No. 1 prospect, Anthony Volpe, being named the New York Yankees' Opening Day shortstop, and No. 3 prospect Oswald Peraza banging on the door for a starting job in the infield, rumors have been circulating that the team could move current starting second baseman Gleyber Torres to improve the team's standing at a different position.
Among the New York Yankees' planned-for Opening Day rotations of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, Nestor Cortes, and Frankie Montas, only Cole and Cortes remain with the first pitch of the 2023 season just days away.
Montas underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery after rehab failed, Rodon has a strained forearm that raised concerns because it is the same type of issue that required Tommy John surgery previously in his career, and Severino has a strained lat. None of the three will spend much time on the mound in April, if at all.
To make matters worse, the Yankees are counting on not only Hicks, who hasn't hit above.248 since 2017, but also similarly light-hitting third baseman Josh Donaldson in their Opening Day lineup, who hit just.222 last season.
Oswaldo Cabrera lies in wait for New York Yankees
The New York Yankees do appear to have one possible ace up their sleeve in Oswaldo Cabrera. The 24-year-old, who is capable of playing in left field or third base, made his major-league debut last season and hit .247 with six home runs and 19 RBI in 44 games.
Cabrera is among the team's leaders in Spring Training, sporting a .340 batting average, four home runs, and 14 RBI in 19 games. He could step in if either Hicks or Donaldson continue to struggle.
But what if both Hicks and Donaldson remain mired in their extended slumps? Unfortunately, Peraza has no experience playing anywhere other than midfield in his minor- or major-league career.
DJ LeMahieu may be the answer for Donaldson, as Cabrera might be the answer for Hicks. Lemahieu is still favored in the hearts of many Yankees fans after hitting a major-league leading .364 in 2020.
But none of the previously named hitters can pitch. Hence, Cashman is not closing the door on any trade possibilities.