Spring training is just around the corner, and MLB teams are scrambling to wrap up their final moves. For some, that means finding another reliever or backup catcher. For others, it’s time to make tough decisions about young players who might need a fresh start somewhere else.
The Dodgers just showed how this works. They traded Diego Cartaya to the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Jose Vasquez. It’s quite a change for Cartaya, who was once considered one of baseball’s top catching prospects.
The Twins are betting the 22-year-old can turn things around. He’s struggled lately in Double-A and Triple-A, but still has time on his side and one minor league option left.
For the Dodgers, it was simply a numbers game. They’re loaded at catcher with Will Smith, Austin Barnes, and rising star Dalton Rushing. Something had to give.
Here are three other young players who might be wearing different uniforms soon:
Marco Luciano, Giants
The former top prospect has hit a rough patch. After making Baseball America’s top-100 list five years in a row, Luciano has struggled both in the minors and his brief time in the majors.
The Giants just signed Matt Chapman and Willy Adames to play third base and shortstop. That leaves Luciano, still only 23, without a clear spot.
He could try second base, but time’s running out. This is his last year with minor league options, and his raw power and good eye at the plate might interest other teams.
Owen Caissie, Cubs
Here’s a guy who hits the ball incredibly hard. The young outfielder cut down his strikeouts last season, though they’re still pretty high at 28.4%.
But the Cubs’ outfield is getting crowded. They’ve got Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kevin Alcántara all in the mix. Caissie’s name has already popped up in trade rumors this winter.
Jud Fabian, Orioles
Talk about a traffic jam. Fabian’s competing with Tyler O’Neill, Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins, Heston Kjerstad, and three other promising prospects for playing time in Baltimore’s outfield.
He’s had a rough go in Triple-A, but teams might like his combination of center field defense and power potential.
The Orioles typically take their time with these decisions – just look how long they held onto Connor Norby and Joey Ortiz. But with spring training coming up, they might want to consider clearing up their outfield logjam to strengthen other areas of the team.
