Fansided

5 Yankees most likely to be traded this winter

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 02: Greg Bird #33 of the New York Yankees in action against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on July 2, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 in eleven innings. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 02: Greg Bird #33 of the New York Yankees in action against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on July 2, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 in eleven innings. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Justus Sheffield #61 of the New York Yankees pitches in the bottom of the fourth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Justus Sheffield #61 of the New York Yankees pitches in the bottom of the fourth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

3. Justus Sheffield

It’s clear the Yankees have placed a heightened priority on keeping their top prospects over the last few seasons. Sheffield is certainly one of the club’s most promising youngsters. Still, it could be the right time for Cashman to part ways with a ballyhooed arm.

Sheffield got a brief cup of tea in the Bronx last season, but no one should draw any lasting conclusions about his ability based on 2 2/3 innings pitched. That’s simply too small of a sample to really evaluate.

On the other hand, you can look at the organization’s hesitance to bring Sheffield up sooner or leave him as a starter as warning signs that the Yankees aren’t quite as high on the left-handed as they used to be. His value definitely decreases if his future lies in the bullpen. Sheffield’s lack of command as a starter at least raises that as a realistic possibility.

The Yankees may choose to sell high on Sheffield before they’re really forced to show him to the world. It may be a case where they find another team willing to pay for his reputation rather than his performance.

Ultimately, we don’t think Sheffield will be moved unless he is the centerpiece for a deal that will bring an All-Star back to the Bronx. That situation is very much in play. Look for Sheffield to be linked with a lot of other teams as the winter rolls around.

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