Yankees' most likely trade candidate would be a sad end for another former top prospect

Yankees' most likely trade candidate would be a sad end for another former top prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees are looking to build a true World Series contender this year, and compared to last season, there is one area of the roster that feels complete: the infield.

First base is locked down, and the three other spots have Ryan McMahon, Jose Cabellero, Amed Rosario, and even potentially Anthony Volpe in the mix.

That leaves little room for another starter, and the odd-man out for the Yankees might be Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report's most likely trade candidate for the Yankees: utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera.

"But when and where does Cabrera fit back into the mix in the Bronx?" Miller writes. "... If they can swap Cabrera for a bullpen arm, they'll probably do it."

Cabrera was a former top infield prospect, and if he is traded, as Miller believes is very possible, then it would be a sad end for another former Yankees top prospect.

Yankees trading Oswaldo Cabrera would be a sad end to another former top prospect

The Yankees infielder doesn't have a spot in the Majors this season, and realistically, is more valuable to the team in a trade to acquire more help for their bullpen.

Cabrera could help bring back a decent player, as he's 27 years old, fairly cheap, and under club control for the next two-plus seasons.

He can play a bunch of different positions, meaning the Yankees should be able to find a team that could use him in some capacity this season by the trade deadline.

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He has a .234 batting average for his MLB career across 858 at-bats with 20 homers and 2.0 bWAR with a .641 OPS.

While the Yankees would be parting with another former top prospect in such a trade, Cabrera's use for the Yankees' big-league roster might be best off as a trade chip to bring back someone of more value to their World Series odds.

It's a potentially sad end for another former top prospect that received some hype, but strictly from a team-building standpoint, a trade would be the best path forward for both the Yankees and Cabrera.

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