TAMPA — When the Yankees traded lefty reliever Justin Wilson to the Tigers, they received two minor league starters coming off suspect seasons.
Since Wilson was terrific in one year with the Yankees and inexpensive, the trade produced strong head scratching.
According to general manager Brian Cashman, the December deal that brought right-handers Luis Cessa and Chad Green was made to add rotation depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
However, with a week left before Opening Day, Cessa is a serious candidate for one of the two open big league bullpen spots. Johnny Barbato, Kirby Yates, Diego Moreno, Branden Pinder, Nick Goody and Anthony Swarzak are the others.