How Yankees could retain Rule 5 Draft pick from Cardinals amid Spring Training concerns

There are a few open roster spots in the bullpen for the New York Yankees. 

As Opening Day approaches, the front office is tasked with making spring training cuts. Of course, manager Aaron Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake will have a say in who stays and who goes. 

David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Ryan Yarbrough are locks to open the year with the Major League club. The Athletic's Chris Kirschner tabs Jake Bird, Brent Headrick, Kervin Castro, and Cade Winquest as the four relievers vying for the final two spots in the bullpen. 

Winquest's path to the Majors is not quite as clear as the other three candidates. 

Winquest is a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Cardinals 

MLB's Rule 5 Draft is an annual event that allows clubs to select unprotected minor leaguers from the 29 other organizations. The Yankees made their first selection in the draft since 2011 by taking Winquest from the St. Louis Cardinals. 

"The reason the Yankees selected him [Winquest] in the Rule 5 draft this offseason was they believed his stuff would play up in a reliever role rather than as a starter, which he was in the St. Louis Cardinals organization," Kirschner wrote Thursday. 

Players selected in the Rule 5 draft who are placed off the active roster must be offered back to their previous club. Even if the Yankees decide to take that route, there is a way Winquest can remain with the organization. 

"The results haven’t been there in spring training, but the Yankees still believe in his ability. If they do decide his stuff isn’t major-league ready, they must place Winquest on waivers," Kirschner added. "If he clears waivers, they must offer him back to the Cardinals for $50,000. If the Cardinals decline to take him back, the Yankees would be able to outright him to the minor leagues." 

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract
• Konnor Griffin projected to make Pirates Opening Day roster by two analysts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies