Now that the MLB non-waiver trade deadline has passed it's time for all the want-to-be General Managers and Monday Morning Quarterbacks to come out of hiding for their day in the sun. I'm not going to pretend that I'm above those that spew forth their own opinions as if it were gospel, but as a writer, it is my duty to give you -- the reader -- something to talk about.
This season has seen the Yankees' new Baby Bombers come of age sooner than expected. What was supposed to be a rebuilding year -- yes you can actually rebuild in New York -- has instead seen the Yanks in control of a playoff spot ever since the third week of the season.
The likes of Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Jordan Montgomery, and Clint Frazier have helped make this season one to remember. With the presumed AL Rookie-of-the-Year and MVP winner in Aaron Judge; a CY Young candidate in Luis Severino; the Yankees are riding the wave of momentum they created by allowing these and other prospects to develop into Major-League ballplayers, and All-Stars too.
To augment their youthful roster, GM Brian Cashman went out and made three trades in the last couple weeks -- ones that he hopes will transform the Bronx Bombers into serious World Series contenders.
Trade number 1
To shore up the bullpen, and add some poop to the corner infield positions, Cashman sent a package of 2016 first-round draft pick Blake Rutherford, Ian Clarkin, Tito Polo, and Tyler Clippard to the Chicago White Sox for Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle, and former-Yankee David Robertson.
In the time that has elapsed since then, the White Sox have seen Clippard continue his woeful season by blowing the first save opportunity that they presented to him.
In the Bronx, Kahnle and Robertson have been just what the doctor ordered. A bullpen that was in shambles, is now among the best in the league as Kahnle and Robertson have joined forces with Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Adam Warren, and Chad Green to form a dynamite group that has the ability to not only dominate a game but to put on a show for the fans as well, with the extraordinary amount of strikeouts that they pile up.
Robertson has given up two late-inning home runs that resulted in Yankee losses but has otherwise been steady. Kahnle has been lights-out, as have Warren, Green, Betances, and Chapman.
Todd Frazier, whose arrival bumped Chase Headley to first base, has not provided any additional pop, but his better than advertised defense and a recent stretch of strong games at the plate have provided optimism that he will rebound.
Grade: A-
Trade number 2
Early Sunday morning, Cashman swung a trade with the Minnesota Twins for rotation-filler Jaime Garcia, whom the Twins recently acquired from the Atlanta Braves.
Garcia isn't anybody's idea of an ace. Far from it. Having a career-worst year in the weak NL East is not a precursor for success in the stacked AL East.
This trade was made as a safety net move, in case the Yankees struck out on one of the big-name starters who were available.
Garcia, who's role is to merely eat up innings, was brought in to replace Caleb Smith as the fifth starter. After the Yanks eventually got their man in Sonny Gray, Garcia's time with the team could be much shorter than originally anticipated.
A free agent once the World Series is over, Garcia will either serve as rotation depth or be designated for assignment, which would give the Bombers a chance to either trade him or release him.
Luckily, Cashman only gave up two mid-tier prospects for Garcia.
Grade: D
Trade number 3
Monday, roughly an hour before the trade deadline, Cashman got his guy. The Yankees sent three of their top-12 prospects: Jorge Mateo, James Kaprielian, and Dustin Fowler to the Oakland Athletics for A's ace Sonny Gray.
Gray, who is under team control for the next two years, is having a rebound year, after suffering through a number of injuries last season.
None of the three prospects that the Bombers gave up will come back to haunt them in the near future.
Of the three, Fowler and Kaprielian are currently out for the season with injuries that can threaten their careers, and Mateo is in Double-A and needs some Minor League seasoning.
Sonny Gray will add more than just depth to the Yankee rotation. In a short-series, the Yankees can now trot out a trio of Luis Severino, Sonny Gray, and Masahiro Tanaka, with able-bodied CC Sabathia also capable of pitching a strong game.
Grade: A
