The Yankees announced that they’ve designated outfielder Jake Cave for assignment. His roster spot will go to infielder Neil Walker, whose one-year Major League deal has now been announced by the team.
Cave, 25, enjoyed a strong season between Double-A and Triple-A this past season, hitting .305/.351/.542 with 20 homers through 437 trips to the plate. Given his strong track record in the minors and previous interest from other clubs — the Reds selected Cave back in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft, though he didn’t crack their big league roster — it stands to reason that he could be of interest to other teams now that he’s lost his spot in the Bronx. Baseball America has ranked Cave among the Yankees’ top 30 prospects on multiple occasions, noting that he can play all three outfield spots and has average tools across the board, perhaps with the exception of his power.
Outfield depth isn’t much of a concern for the Yankees even after losing Cave, with Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Jacoby Ellsbury all ticketed for the 25-man roster. The team also has Clint Frazier and Billy McKinney as 40-man options looming in the upper minors in the event should injuries arise.
Always had potential. Can definitely swing it, but doesn’t have enough other tools to stand out in a loaded NY outfield. I hope he latches on somewhere. Could make for a solid starter for a rebuilding squad.
He’ll get picked up
Agree. Only question is via trade or waivers
#alavila
think how many outfielders NY has let go – Williams, Mateo, Fowler, Cave.
Mateo and Fowler were traded.
Lol
I believe Mateo is an infielder. Williams is a 4A player.
They were trying Mateo in the outfield since he wasn’t going to play infield in NY.
Slade Heathcott?
Drink and drugs. Always a bad combination for an outfielder.
You forgot about Pedro serano blash
Surprised it wasn’t Gallegos. Seems like the team has even more RHP depth than MLB ready 4th outfielders lying around. Oh well best of luck to him on the Marlins or whatever team picks him up and plugs him onto their 25 man roster.
If somehow with Judge, Gardner, Hicks, Stanton, Ellsbury, and Frazier the Yankees end up needing another OF, then we’re in big trouble.
It’s not the end of the world and I agree somewhat with what you’re saying but… Gardner has a team option at the end of this year, and Ellsbury will be on the block from this day forward until he’s gone, As soon as next year assuming Stanton/Judge hold down right and Dh the team will need a 4th outfielder. It won’t be McKinney as he can’t play Cf, Frazier will be in left, and someone like Cave will be needed. I’m sure we’ll survive but there was a path to playing time for a guy like Cave in the near future.
Florial will be ready in two years I predict. Judge says he can play center, but I’d hate to have to find out. Cave isn’t a center fielder either.
Agree, agree, disagree. Cave does play CF he has 394 milb games out there and 104 in LF, 46 in RF. Dude is a taylor made 4th outfielder.
Tailor*
Sorry, had to scratch the itch
Ugh grammar police.. Seriously, those of us that lack grammar skills, know it. We don’t follow you around all day and correct your math. I don’t understand how you can feel so good about yourself by correcting simple mistakes.
I could see the Reds giving him a look as some cheap depth. Didn’t they pick him in the rule 5 draft before last season?
2 seasons ago, but yes they did
How has Williams looked?
Pretty good actually. Lot of doubles
Good point but remember that waivers start with the AL (last to first) record wise from last season. So that means teams like the Tigers, White sox, Royals, would all have to pass on him and I highly doubt that. The only way he goes to a national league team is if the Yanks can work out a trade before he is claimed.
If he is as versatile as stated, its doubtful he reaches waivers. Some team will give up a non roster prospect for him. If I’m wrong, go get em Tigers!
Can’t see him not getting claimed
I predict he will wind up in Oakland. He will be too good for Beane to pass up. Cave gives the claiming team a controllable MLB ready outfielder who is close to being an everyday player. Give Beane a guy like this and he can trade Kris Davis at the deadline for a haul. Look at Davis’s power and look around the rest of baseball. Taking Davis’s team friendly contract out of it, is there anyone else who can match his power and be available at the deadline? Add his contract and you get get a haul from the contender that badly needs a bat.
I don’t know about a haul. Bad defense, low average, not great OBP…. Those guys aren’t fetching what they used to. Would net a decent return maybe but I wouldn’t go as far as a haul.
I predict Jake cave has absolutely zero bearing on Khris Davis. As any rational human being would.
Cave is a waiver wire gem
We don’t know if he’s on waivers yet or not. I suspect he’s not. There should be plenty of trade interest.
Seattle has been known to snatch up Yankees prospects (Gamel, Ford, Rumbelow, and Pazos), so I’m sure Dipoto has Cashman on speed-dial. They could stand to use a little more outfield depth.
Mariners make a lot of sense. This guy could end up being better than Ben Gamel who I’m not very high on. He absolutely cratered in the second half. I think that’ll wind up being a big weak spot for the M’s.
Gamel stuggled to lift the ball after the break. In late August/early September adjustments helped him get the ball in the air more, so his batted ball profile looked better, though the results never showed. He remains a question mark, no doubt. Heredia is coming off shoulder surgery and a terrible second half as well. He’ll likely make the opening day roster, but Gamel represents their lone depth piece who’s mlb-ready and he’ll need time to get up to speed once he’s healthy.
Baltimore needs a left handed outfielder. I would bet the farm if given the opportunity he goes to Bmore.
I would think that NY wouldn’t be too high on the idea of giving a division rival a decent chip, even if they don’t see Cave as having star potential.
I was hoping for Cessa but the Yankees probably think they can get a younger mid-level prospect back for Cave, who has nothing to prove at AAA. I think Kansas City would be a good landing spot since they just lost a spare outfielder to PEDS suspension. I hope Cave makes a major league roster. He did all the Yankees asked of him.
Cessa? Not a chance. They have him as rotation depth.
I would put German, Adams and Sheffield ahead of Cessa for rotation help. Cessa has not done a thing when given the chance.
This is the kind of guy NY needs to trade, not let go for nothing
The odds are high that that is, in fact, what will happen. The Yankees will work out a trade with a team after they claim him.
When you DFA a guy with some value, they almost always end up getting traded.