Yankees may look to trade Greg Bird or Luke Voit before Opening Day

Keep a close eye on the battle between Greg Bird and Luke Voit in Spring Training. The loser could be traded by the Yankees. 

There’s no question that Luke Voit and Greg Bird are battling for the starting job at first base during Spring Training. The two infielders might also be fighting for their future with the Yankees.

In other words, the loser of the battle may find themselves on the trade block before Opening Day arrives. Most Yankees observers believed that both guys were safe bets to make the regular season roster until manager Aaron Boone revealed his belief that DJ LeMahieu will be the primary backup at first base in 2019. That puts the loser of the Bird vs. Voit battle in a really awkward spot.

Boone also has made it clear that he doesn’t believe a platoon is a viable option either. That makes Spring Training a winner take all contest between the two candidates for the first base job. Voit must either be kept on the big league roster, designated for assignment or traded. Bird does have options left so it’s possible he could begin the year in AAA. That doesn’t seem like a likely outcome for a 26-year-old with significant major league experience.

Voit enters Spring Training with the advantage after his hot finish to the 2018 season. On the other hand, Bird has a definite defensive advantage. The fact that he’s a left-handed bat also gives him an advantage in the competition. It’s safe to say whichever player performs better in Spring Training should be in position to win the job.

The loser is still going to have value to teams around the league. Brian Cashman isn’t a GM who ever fails to extract value from a meaningful asset. The chances of the Yankees releasing either Bird or Voit are pretty remote.

Instead, expect the organization to investigate the trade market for either player. Neither guy is going to net a robust return for the Yankees, but Cashman could successfully get a mid-tier prospect in return for the losing first baseman. That’s much better than letting them go for free.

Whatever happens, don’t look for Cashman to make a deal from a position of weakness. It’s very possible he’ll keep both guys on the Opening Day roster instead of making a move he doesn’t like. He won’t feel pressure to make a move before the season begins just to open up a roster spot for his manager.

Spring Training is just beginning, but the stakes are already high for Bird and Voit. They may be fighting a loser leaves town match after all.