Major League Baseball

New York Yankees: Which prospects could be traded?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:22 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Phil Akre/FanSided via Call to the Pen

New York Yankees

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After a stellar start to the 2017 season, the New York Yankees appear to be primed for a postseason appearance. In order to lock up a spot in October, the team might need to make a splash at the trade deadline, dipping into their prized farm system to do so.

It's become increasingly clear that the 2017 New York Yankees are for real.

It was easy to think, "Alright, when will this run end?", or "The pitching won't make it past a few weeks." Sure, Masahiro Tanaka has been a train wreck, but he hasn't stopped the staff from totaling the eighth best ERA (4.21) in the game.

This offense is legit, too. The bunch, powered by rookie phenom Aaron Judge, has scored the fourth most runs (298) in baseball and are owners of the fifth best team average (.265). Oh, and they've hit 85 home runs as a team, good enough for fifth best in the sport.

So, this team is set, right?

Certainly not. With just a one-game lead on the Boston Red Sox, General Manager Brian Cashman knows he will have to make some moves at this year's trade deadline to separate his team from the pack.

If and when Cashman decides to make a move, he'll have plenty of ammunition thanks to one of the game's best farm systems.

We're here to figure out which of those prospects could be used as trade bait come July 31.

New York Yankees

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Mateo

Once considered the future shortstop of the Yankees, Jorge Mateo has become an afterthought in New York's loaded system.

The 21-year-old's game relies heavily on his speed. In 2015, the speedster swiped 81 bags and 36 a year later.

Still MLB.com's No. 39 prospect in the game, Mateo has racked up 13 doubles, seven triples and 30 runs scored at Single-A Tampa.

However, strikeouts have remained a problem for the infielder, as he has struck out in 30 percent of his at-bats this season.

Mateo was once thought to be one of the Yankees' best pieces in what was a solid farm system just a year ago. Since Gleyber Torres has clearly established himself as the future and Didi Gregorius' emergence as a star, the Dominican Republic native has become expendable.

He could be a key piece in a deal for a starting pitcher or a third baseman at the deadline, as he is still considered by many to be the quickest prospect in all of the minor leagues.

New York Yankees

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Chance Adams

Through only three years in the minor leagues, Chance Adams has risen all the way to Triple-A. In that time, he has put together a sparkling 2.02 ERA.

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With Masahiro Tanaka struggling mightily, many Yankees fans have called for the promotion of the 22-year-old righty, but he still has some work to do in Triple-A.

Despite the solid ERA, Adams has walked 15 through 35 innings of work since his promotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

However, he's been fantastic for all of his minor league career at limiting the long ball, allowing 0.5 HR/9.

With Jordan Montgomery looking solid in the No. 5 slot, Justus Sheffield on his way and James Kaprielian working his way back from Tommy John surgery, there may not be room for Adams in the major league rotation.

Due to this, Adams could certainly be another huge piece in a deal for perhaps a starting pitcher. On most other teams, Adams would be on the major league roster with a chance to start. The Yankees wouldn't want to part with him, but for an ace, you do these types of deals.

New York Yankees

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Fowler

The forgotten man after the Clint Frazier acquisition, Dustin Fowler has quietly been raking in Triple-A this season.

The 22-year-old outfielder has slashed .297/.336/.553 with nine home runs and 28 RBI. This should have been expected, though, after a breakout 2016 campaign that saw him hit .281 with 88 RBI.

If Fowler is traded, it won't be because of anything he did. He'd be the victim of a crowded Yankees outfield situation.

New York's outfield has arguably been the best in the major leagues this season. If an injury were to occur to any of the starters, it's more likely that Tyler Austin or Rob Refsnyder would be used as replacements.

Forget Fowler as an injury call-up, Frazier wouldn't even be first in line. Even though he isn't considered an "elite" prospect, Fowler's production speaks for itself.

Thanks to his solid production this season, though, Fowler could definitely help the Yankees in terms of deadline ammunition.

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