John Raoux/AP Photo

By Joe Giglio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Jose Quintana

to the

Yankees

?

While spring training trades are rare, there's been too many

rumors

and

trade connection between the Yankees and White Sox

over the last few months to totally ignore.

Despite 2017 looking like another transition year for New York, Quintana—thanks to an underrated left arm and one of the most team-friendly contracts in Major League Baseball—

would be appealing to any franchise

. That includes the Yankees.

A recent report

named five young Yankees

(Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird, Gleyber Torres, Justus Sheffield and Aaron Judge) that are off the table in any Yankees-White Sox discussions.

Quintana to the Yankees would be a smart move

—even if there's a big prospect cost. Here's which of New York's (big name) Baby Bombers should and shouldn't be on the table in a potential trade with Chicago.

Don't Edit

OFF THE TABLE

Too young, too good and too much upside to surrender at this point in New York's retooling process.

Don't Edit

Gary Sanchez

When comparisons to Johnny Bench are out there, it's tough to even bring his name up in a trade conversation.

Don't Edit

Gleyber Torres

The prize of the Arolids Chapman trade from last summer. Even if he doesn't stick at shortstop, we're talking about a kid that has future top-of-the-order potential. Impressing manager Joe Girardi more and more by the day.

Don't Edit

Greg Bird

Comparisons to John Olerud have emerged during a red-hot spring training. Reminds me of ex-Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers star Shawn Green. Could the next great Yankees first baseman.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Clint Frazier

Plays with the kind of energy that Yankees fans will love. That legendary bat speed can't be given up on, even for a pitcher as good as Quintana.

Don't Edit

Blake Rutherford

Last year's first-round pick is still too early in his career to think about moving—unless it was for a no-doubt, young pitcher with Cy Young potential. Quintana is very good, but not quite at that level.

Don't Edit

Justus Sheffield

Sheffield has impressed since his excellent minor league stint with the Indians. The Yankees need young lefty to become a staple in the future of the rotation.

Don't Edit

Chance Adams

Rising fast and potentially better than his past prospect rankings. When a comparison is made to Corey Kluber, it's enough to get me to want to see more before offering him in a deal.

Don't Edit

Why Quintana is worth big-prospect cost

We're talking about one of the 10 or so pitchers in baseball.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

ON THE TABLE

It's OK to trade prospects for the right players. Quintana, one of baseball's best since 2013, is the right kind of player to offer kids up for in a blockbuster package.

Don't Edit

Aaron Judge

Yes, I'd deal Judge for Quintana. In fact, the Yankees should actively try to make this happen. While Judge has a chance to harness his power into a 40-homer star, he also could be a 200-plus strikeout hitter every single season. His power could make him look better than his actual future value equates to on the field.

Don't Edit

Jorge Mateo

His prospect star has fallen, but still talented enough to headline a deal. With Torres surpassing him in New York's shortstop prospect list and Didi Gregorius entrenched in the Bronx, the Yankees could deal from a surplus.

Don't Edit

Miguel Andujar

Intriguing player that's done some nice things in camp. While he could be the future at third base, don't forget about the 2019 free agent class that includes Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson.

Don't Edit

Luis Severino

This one was a harder call than I had anticipated. There's still a ton of talent and upside here (in the rotation or the bullpen), but I couldn't let Severino hold up a deal for a pitcher of Quintana's caliber.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

James Kaprielian

The mentality and stuff is fascinating, but when a pitcher has arm issues so young it's cause for concern.

Don't Edit

Dillon Tate

The prize of last year's Carlos Beltran deal was once a top-five pick in the draft. If the White Sox want to take him in a deal for Quintana, the Yankees should be thrilled with ability to flip him.

Don't Edit

White Sox using Yankees?

Are the White Sox simply just using the Yankees to drive up the price for Quintana?

Don't Edit

Where else could Quintana land?

Are the Phillies the sleeper team to deal for him?

Don't Edit

HOW TO REACH ME

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.