A Disappointing Deadline From the New York Yankees
Just
a week ago, I wrote a piece comparing how the Yankees
and Mets are run,
which included predictions for the approaches each team would take at this
year’s non-waiver trade deadline. To my complete and utter dismay, I was wrong.
The Mets addressed their team’s needs, while the Yankees grew complacent. I am
very disappointed in Brian Cashman, and the Yankees, to say the least.
Let
me preface this by acknowledging that the sky is not falling, and I am ecstatic
that the Yankees hold a 5 game lead in the AL East at the time of this writing.
However, I feel extremely let down by our long time general manager. There are
glaring holes on this roster that needed to be addressed, and our general
manager failed to do so. Although the Blue Jays got Troy Tulowitzki, David
Price, Ben Revere, and Mark Lowe, I am not afraid of them as far as the
division is concerned. I am afraid, however, that the Yankees starting rotation
will not survive come October. I hope I’m proved incorrect, but I believe Brian
Cashman’s inability to get anything done at the deadline has set the Yankees up
for an early playoff exit.
In
order to make room on the roster for Ackley, the Yankees designated Garrett
Jones for assignment. I know many fans were expecting Stephen Drew to be DFA’d,
but we all know that’s wishful thinking at this point. I can’t fathom why the
Yankees continue to start Stephen Drew, who hasn’t even hit .200 at any point
this season. My hope is that Ackley rejuvenates his career, and steals the job
from Drew. While I was a huge proponent of bringing back Martin Prado, I’m
willing to give Ackley the benefit of the doubt. Ackley’s versatility allows
the Yankees to play him at all outfield positions, second base, and first base.
His superior defense is undoubtedly an upgrade over Jones. Hopefully a change
of scenery, and the homer friendly Yankee Stadium will help the former number 2
overall pick reboot his career.
The
Yankees starting rotation is in absolute shambles at the moment. On Thursday,
we learned that Michael Pineda was headed to the DL with a strained forearm.
Note that this is the same injury suffered by Andrew Miller earlier in the
season, and he was out for roughly a month. Unfortunately, with Pineda’s long
injury history we can only hope his rehab goes as quickly as Miller’s did.
Masahiro Tanaka has shown signs of dominance, but he is too inconsistent.
Nathan Eovaldi and Ivan Nova are solid back end of the rotation arms, but the
Yankees are now depending on them to pick up some of Pineda’s slack. CC
Sabathia is simply terrible and undeserving of a rotation spot at this point in
his career.
The
only good news to come out of yesterday’s stagnant deadline for the Yankees is
in regards to top pitching prospect Luis Severino. Cashman announced that
Severino’s next start would be against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium next week.
I can honestly say that I haven’t been this excited for one of our prospects
since Joba Chamberlain came up in 2006.
I
have to flush out this optimism with some pragmatism, however. When was the
last time a 21-year old starter came out of the minors and just dominated in
the major leagues? While I’m cautiously optimistic about Severino, the Yankees
should have gotten an established starting pitcher. I was hoping and praying
all week that the Yankees would somehow pull off a trade for David Price. In my
opinion, Price was the missing piece to the puzzle. He is a battle-tested stud
who would have fit perfectly atop our rotation, and would have been as reliable
as anyone to start game 1 of a postseason series.
As
I’ve already noted, I am not afraid of the Toronto Blue Jays, but I’m very
disappointed David Price is not a Yankee. I will admit I am happy that Cashman
did not trade for another National League pitcher though. Time and again he has
acquired them and they have failed in New York. For me, it was David Price or
bust. I wanted nothing to do with Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels, or Mike Leake.
I
know the prospect lovers are absolutely euphoric about what occurred at the
deadline, but as fans we need to realize that prospects are just that,
prospects. Most of Brian Cashman’s prospects have turned out to be flops. Aside
from Robinson Cano, Brett Gardner (maybe), and Dellin Betances, how many above
average players has Cashman developed? Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian
Kennedy, Jesus Montero, Andrew Brackman, and Manny Banuelous were all highly
regarded, and haven’t lived up to expectations.
When
your team is in the middle of a pennant race, sometimes you have to give up the
prospects and go for it. In 1995, the Yankees gave up top prospects to acquire
David Cone, and he helped anchor the rotation through 4 World Championships.
When it comes to Price, I would have been all in. All cards would have been on
the table. I would love nothing more than to see some homegrown players develop
into super stars, but the Yankees have a legitimate chance of winning the World
Series this year. You can’t just grow complacent and stand pat. Areas of need
must be addressed, and once again Brian Cashman failed to address said needs.
While
all the other contenders in the American League (the Royals, Angels, Astros,
and Blue Jays) improved their teams, the Yankees stood pat and did nothing.
This is frustrating considering the Yankees were only a piece or two away from
becoming a close to complete team. My deadline wish list consisted of two
players: David Price and Martin Prado. A real second baseman and a front line
starter are exactly what this team needed to be put over the hump. Hopefully,
Ackley can develop into the former, and Severino into the latter, although both
are long shots this season.
I
give Brian Cashman a grade of a D for his approach to the deadline. Before the
Cashman lovers attack me, I have to admit I am no fan of his. I’ve been
advocating that the Yankees part ways with him for years. He has won one
championship in 15 years, and with the resources available at his disposal,
that is unacceptable.
To
sum this whole thing up, Brian Cashman failed us at the deadline. While our
potent offense and dominant bullpen will be real assets come October, I believe
the starting rotation will be the ultimate downfall. Without one dependable
starter, we will be toast in a short series. Hopefully Pineda comes back
healthy and returns to his dominant form, hopefully Tanaka gets over his
inconsistencies and becomes a true number 1 starter, hopefully Eovaldi and Nova
can step up to the challenge, hopefully CC can find a time machine and bring us
back to 2009, and hopefully Severino is an absolute stud. If even two of these
are answered in the affirmative then we can be dangerous come October.
Unfortunately, I believe Cashman’s inability to improve the roster cost us a
great opportunity at a World Championship. Hopefully I’m wrong, but only time
will tell.
Article
by Steven Eareckson
Follow
me on Twitter @SEareckson
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us on twitter @bronxbomberblog
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