Winners and losers of the 2015 MLB Winter Meetings

Winner – New York Yankees

There was some questions as to what the New York Yankees were going to be doing this winter. A team stuck with a high payroll, aging players, and no real way out from under either problem, Brian Cashman needed to find a way to be creative to address the club’s needs while also getting younger in the process.

New York came into the meetings floating names like Andrew Miller and Brett Gardner in potential deals, but thus far have managed not to deal either. Instead, they dug into their limited pitching depth to swing a deal that could benefit the club immensely next season.

In landing Starlin Castro from the Cubs, the Yankees addressed their huge need at second base, landing a controllable player on a reasonable salary. While he won’t be Robinson Cano, Castro will certainly be an upgrade for New York at the Keystone, both with the bat and the glove. He also gives the team depth at shortstop should the need arise.

To get Castro, the Yankees avoiding sending Gardner to Chicago. Instead, they moved right-hander Adam Warren to the Cubs. Warren was a valuable swing-man for New York last season, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen, but he was likely limited to a similar role again in New York.

The loss of depth hurts a Yankees team that badly needs it, and the inexplicable deal sending Justin Wilson to the Tigers further exasperates it, but it is hard to argue with the addition of Castro as a definite plus for New York.  If the movement of pitchers clears the way for another addition down the road, this could be a solid win for the Yankees.

Next: Loser - San Francisco Giants