New York Yankees Make Waves at Winter Meetings with Rule 5 Draft

ORLANDO, Fla. — The New York Yankees have turned heads at the Winter Meetings, demonstrating their strategic focus with a notable selection in the Rule 5 Draft held on Wednesday. For the first time since 2011, the Yankees picked a player, choosing right-hander Cade Winquest from the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league system.

Cade Winquest: A Promising Addition

• Position: Right-handed pitcher
• Age: 25
• Previous Team: St. Louis Cardinals (High-A and Double-A affiliates)
• 2025 Stats: 3.99 ERA, 110 strikeouts in 106 innings

Assistant General Manager Mike Fishman highlighted Winquest’s potential, emphasizing his ability to deliver "big velocity." The Yankees envision him as a strong candidate for their bullpen as he heads into spring training. Fishman stated, "Get him with our pitching department, make a few tweaks and hopefully somebody that can help us."

A New Approach for the Yankees

The Yankees have typically avoided the Rule 5 Draft; however, this selection showcases their willingness to explore fresh talent. To retain a Rule 5 pick, teams must keep the player on their major league roster for the entire season. While Winquest’s permanence isn’t guaranteed, he enhances the competition for a spot in the Yankees’ bullpen during spring training.

Strategic Independence

Interestingly, this year, the Yankees faced zero losses of their minor league players, a change from the past. This included retaining Triple-A relievers Harrison Cohen and Eric Reyzelman, both of whom could contribute to the Yankees’ roster this season.

With five open spots on their 40-man roster, the Yankees took the opportunity to acquire Winquest, reflecting a judicious strategy this offseason.

Additional Picks in the Draft

In the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees made additional moves:

• Selected Hansel Rincon (Righty reliever from the Milwaukee Brewers)
• Selected Abrahan Gutierrez (Catcher from the Oakland Athletics)

Conversely, the Yankees also lost several players from their system, including:

• RHP Adam Stone (Cubs)
• RHP Sean Hermann (Mariners)
• LHP Matt Turner (Mets)

Looking Ahead: Bullpen Development

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed positive expectations for Ben Rice, anticipating a significant role against left-handed pitchers in the upcoming season. Rice’s performance against lefties showed potential growth, hitting .208 with a .752 OPS last season.

The Closer Situation

With the Yankees looking to solidify their bullpen, General Manager Brian Cashman mentioned his interest in pitcher David Bednar as their potential closer. The Yankees opted out of pursuing Edwin Díaz, who recently signed a lucrative three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers. Cashman noted, “Díaz is a hell of a pitcher. Glad he didn’t land in the American League somewhere.”

Conclusion

The New York Yankees’ activity during the Winter Meetings reflects a renewed focus on strategic acquisitions and building a competitive roster. With the addition of Cade Winquest and other roster decisions, fans can anticipate an intriguing season ahead.

Stay updated with the latest Yankees news and developments by checking reliable sources such as ESPN and MLB.com.

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