Brian Cashman shakes up the depth chart

Yankees add Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones, Domingo German and Gonzalez Germen; send Martin Prado and David Phelps to Miami.

Just when it appeared that the 2015 New York Yankee roster was taking shape, Ninja Cash strikes again. Martin Prado and David Phelps have been sent to the Miami Marlins in return for Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones and Domingo German. In a second trade, Brian Cashman acquired Gonzalez Germen from the New York Mets for cash considerations.

Helpfully we have different spellings for German (the pitching prospect) and Germen (the reliever)

The Yankees are now at the limit of the 40-man roster, with Preson Clairborne already designated for assignment to make room for Germen.

As for the projected 25-man roster, lets take a look at some of the ways these trades have made an impact.

Martin Prado and David Phelps were both near-locks for the 25-man before being traded to the Marlins. Their projected spots are taken by Garrett Jones and Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi instantly slots into the starting rotation. This likely ends the prospect of a spring training battle for a rotation spot where previously Adam Warren, Chase Whitley and Bryan Mitchell as key competitors alongside Phelps. Expect Warren to remain in the bullpen where he had success last season, and for Whitley and Mitchell to start the season in AAA.

Garrett Jones has the versatility to cover first base and right field, in addition to providing a left-handed alternative and potential platoon partner for Alex Rodriguez at designated hitter. Jones being able to cover first base in particular is very valuable, finally providing the Yankees with credible depth behind Mark Teixeira. Meanwhile, losing Martin Prado has left the Yankees with no veteran option at second base barring any further additions. Robert Refsnyder is likely to have the inside track to the starting job at second base, though he might be expected to beat out Jose Pirela in spring training for the gig. In either case, there is likely to be only one roster spot available between those two and any other potential veteran competitors the Yankees might bring in. Whoever the starter ends up being expect Brendan Ryan to be the backup second baseman as well as shortstop. Alex Rodriguez is now the primary backup third baseman. Certainly positional depth at the major league level has taken a hit overall with the loss of Prado; a potential consequence is that short-term injuries might be more likely to result in disabled list stays as the Yankees aren't quite as equipped to cover week-long stretches short-handed.

Gonzalez Germen joins a crowded mix in terms of the battle for bullpen spots. Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Adam Warren and Shawn Kelley are all likely locked into relief pitching gigs, with Justin Wilson a favourite to be the second lefty reliever in the pen as Miller takes on more of a late inning role. Esmil Rogers is likely the favourite for the role of long man, though perhaps Chase Whitley or Bryan Mitchell could push him for that job. This leaves the Yankees with six of the seven bullpen spots likely accounted for, and Germen will likely have to battle Jose De Paula to be the last major league relief pitcher with the Yankees. As for prospects such as Jacob Lindgren and Jose Ramirez, the likelihood of breaking camp bound for the Bronx, which wasn't necessarily high to begin with, have likely taken a small hit. In the long run though, unless Germen performs far above expectations he shouldn't block an elite prospect like Lindgren for too long.

The most important player in terms of evaluating this trade might not be a player directly involved. Barring a veteran aquisition, Refsnyder has an opportunity to seize the second base job coming out of spring. If he proves ready to perform at the major league level, this trade is much more likely to look like a successful move for Cashman.