Yankees select Cardinals pitcher in their first Rule 5 draft pick since 2011

Yankees Make Moves at Winter Meetings

ORLANDO, Fla. — Seems like the Yankees are shaking things up at the winter meetings after all.

For the first time since 2011, the team made a selection in the Rule 5 draft, picking right-hander Cade Winquest from the Cardinals’ minor league system.

Winquest is primarily a starter, but assistant GM Mike Fishman mentioned he’s likely to vie for a spot in the Yankees’ bullpen during spring training.

There’s no certainty that Winquest will stay with the team for the entire season—Rule 5 picks must remain on the major league roster for a full year to avoid being sent back. Still, this gives the Yankees another potential option for their bullpen as they head into camp.

At 25, Winquest pitched for the Cardinals’ High-A and Double-A teams in 2025, earning a 3.99 ERA along with 110 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched.

“He has great velocity and brings characteristics that we believe will mesh well with our pitching staff,” Fishman stated. “We’re hopeful to make some adjustments with him that can really help.”

Interestingly, Fishman had his eye on Winquest during the 2022 draft, but the Cardinals snagged him at 27th overall, right after the Yankees picked Cam Schlitler in the seventh round.

It’s not common for the Yankees to make a move in the Rule 5 draft, but this strategy protects some of their homegrown minor leaguers from being picked up by other teams.

Among those competing for a spot are Triple-A relievers Harrison Cohen and Eric Raiselman, who might also step up at some point this season.

The Yankees had five open slots on their 40-man roster, allowing them to take a chance on Winquest during this early offseason phase.

In addition, in the Triple-A stage of the Rule 5 Draft, they picked right-handed reliever Hansel Rincon from the Brewers and catcher Abraham Gutierrez from the Athletics.

Other pitchers, including RHP Adam Stone (Cubs), RHP Sean Herman (Mariners), and LHP Matt Turner (Mets), were released from the system.

Manager Aaron Boone hinted that Ben Rice is expected to play “a lot” against left-handed pitchers next season. However, with left-handed hitter Paul Goldschmidt set to start at first base, Rice didn’t exactly have much protection last year.

Currently projected to take on the starting first baseman role, Rice had a .208 batting average with a .752 OPS and seven home runs against lefties last season, compared to .269 with an .860 OPS and 19 home runs against right-handers.

On the topic of player acquisitions, GM Brian Cashman clarified that the Yankees weren’t involved in acquiring Edwin Diaz until he secured a three-year contract worth $69 million with the Dodgers.