Cash: Trade made us better defensively

TAMPA — Brian Cashman had an itchy trigger finger. The Yankees GM had tried to change his roster before the lockout, but couldn’t make it fit. Sunday night, in dealing Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to the Twins for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt, Cashman finally got the chance to make big changes.

“We feel by doing this trade we upgraded defensively and offensively at third and at shortstop and placed (Gleyber Torres) in a position that he’s best at: second base,” Cashman said Monday, after the Yankees’ workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “So I think the infield side upgraded for the defense and on the catching side as well. So I think that the overall feel for us is that it’s settled a lot of interests on our end with one transaction, with one particular team.

“The beauty for us was that settled a lot of business in that area and still provides flexibility and at the same time we retain prospects a lot of people ask for.”

Kiner-Falefa is an OK shortstop, according to one National League scout.

“He’s an upgrade over Torres, but not the long-term solution there,” the scout said.

Instead, the 27-year-old will fill the gap until the Yankees’ top prospect, Anthony Volpe, who will begin the year in Double A, is ready.

Rortvedt is considered a good defensive catcher with a lot of upside, according to scouts. Aaron Boone and Cashman indicated that as of right now the 24-year-old who was the Twins’ second-round pick in 2016 will be sharing time with Kyle Higashioka.

STARTING SLOW

Domingo German, who dealt with a shoulder issue last season, just began throwing and will likely start the season on the injured list. The Yankees said that was the most significant issue that showed up during the in-take physicals for the big-league roster.

“He had some shoulder issues a little bit at the back end of last season but then popped up in January so he’s just starting a throwing program now so he’s definitely going to be behind,” Boone said. “There’s some other guys that are coming off with different surgeries and things like that and some other guys that are a little slow moving, but I think most of the guys on our roster and stuff are pretty good.”

WHO’S ON FIRST

With the addition of Donaldson, and Kiner-Falefa making Gleyber Torres a permanent second baseman, that leaves one spot for DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit to start. Boone said Voit will be his starting first baseman and LeMahieu will find time playing all around the infield.

“The way I look at it is, sitting here right now, we’re looking at eight impact players for seven spots, which hopefully that continues to exist. That means everyone is healthy and contributing,” Boone said. “So I think that’s something that not only will serve us well, but will serve those guys that they’ll be able to kind of protect each other and be able to match up a little bit better all the time. But those things have a way of working themselves out as spring. unfolds, and obviously different issues and injuries or whatever pop up.

“But, yeah, DJ will kind of be everywhere.”