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Yankees GM turned down deal for Zobrist at deadline

Ed Zurga / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Yankees' revolving door at second base could have been addressed at the non-waiver deadline had general manager Brian Cashman parted ways with one of his top prospects.

Cashman told reporters Tuesday that he turned down an offer from the Oakland Athletics for Ben Zobrist, that would have sent right-hander Adam Warren and second baseman Rob Refsnyder to the Bay Area.

The Yankees struggled with production from the second base position all season with the combination of Stephen Drew, Gregorio Petit, Jose Pirela, and Refsnyder slashing .219/.275/.387 with 24 home runs and 146 strikeouts on the season.

Zobrist was instead shipped to the Kansas City Royals for minor-league pitchers Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea, and took over the starting second base job from the struggling Omar Infante.

Ranked as the Yankees fourth-best prospect, Refsnyder showed promise in September by hitting .355/.412/.548 with three doubles in 12 games. The 24-year-old also started for New York in the wild-card game.

Warren went 7-7 with a 3.29 ERA across 43 appearances split between the bullpen and rotation.

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