JUPITER, FL - MARCH 11: Miami Marlins Non-Roster Invitee Infielder Isan Diaz (91) safely steals second base knocking the ball out of New York Yankees Non-Roster Invitee Infielder Danny Espinosa (14) glove during an MLB spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida on March 11, 2018. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

News

Yankees DFA Cave, release Espinosa

TJ Knapp

Published

March 12, 2018

In a corresponding move to the Neil Walker signing, the Yankees have designated outfielder Jake Cave for assignment to make room for Walker on the 40-man roster.

The Yankees have signed INF Neil Walker to a one-year Major
League contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees have designated OF Jake Cave for assignment.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) March 12, 2018

Infielder Danny Espinosa has also been released and Kyle Holder was re-assigned to minor league camp.

The Yankees have released INF Danny Espinosa and reassigned INF Kyle Holder to minor league camp.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) March 12, 2018

Cave ranked as the #20 prospect in the Yankees system accourding to Pinstriped Prospects and MLB.com had him ranked 27th.

Cave should have multiple teams trying to claim him. The left-handed hitting outfielder put together a nice 2017 season slashing .305/.351/.502 between AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Considering how crowded the Yankees outfield already is and with young outfielders on the way such as Estevan Florial and Clint Frazier, the fit for Cave was never clear.

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Espinosa was already unlikely to make the club before the Walker signing and he will now have a chance to sign somewhere with more opportunity.

The fact that Espinosa was cut and not Jace Peterson means that the club will likely stash Peterson in Scranton as a depth-piece.