Yankees’ Youth Movement Impresses Mike Trout

Talk of the Yankees has dominated much of baseball headlines from Aug. 1 till now. From Brian Cashman’s crafty trades to the birth of the Baby Bombers, it’s an inspiring moment when the best overall player in baseball takes notice.

For the greatest 25-year-old ball player on the planet to take notice of another club’s impressive stable of young players excelling at the big league level, is a testament to the level of work, perseverance, and overall trust the Yankees have in their suddenly robust farm system.

Before the Los Angeles Angels’ defeat of the Yankees on Sunday, Mike Trout spoke with NJ Advance Media about like the likes of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Tyler Austin, Luis Cessa, and Chad Green:

"They’re all young stars. They’re good for the game. When younger guys get opportunities, you like to see them take advantage of it."

Sanchez who went 4-11 for the series, including his sixth home run, grabbed the bulk of Trout’s attention.

"So far Sanchez has been great. All of their young players look really good. I’m impressed."

Impressed enough to facilitate a trade to the Yankees? Which is only a short two-hour commute to Yankee Stadium from where he resides in Millville, NJ. Obviously, the Angels would want the whole entire farm for Trout, so that would defeat the purpose of what Cashman and the Yankees are currently building.

But let’s look ahead. Trout is on a last place team, which will likely miss the Postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons. He is indeed the game’s premier player, but even he can’t do it alone. At least not on a roster ravaged by major injuries; one that’s stuck with terrible contracts (such as Albert Pujols‘) and a dead-last ranked Minor League system, (via Baseball Prospectus).

Trout is signed for four more years, as part of a contract extension signed back in 2014 that will pay him $144.5 million. It hard to believe that much money is actually a bargain, but it is for this five-tool player.

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In four years time, Trout will be a free agent, on the precipice of quite possibly becoming the game’s highest paid player ever. At the same time, the Yankees could employ a lineup of the previously aforementioned studs, in addition to Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Jorge Mateo, Miguel Andujar, Blake Rutherford and more.

It sure would be a luxury to add a true leader to that bunch. One that at only 29 is still just entering his physical prime; a man who already owns an AL MVP Award (3x runner up), four Silver Slugger Awards, and five All-Star Game appearances. Some Yankee fans will say the team won’t need him by 2020. But what if they do? Not all prospects pan, remember that before you dismiss the closest thing MLB has seen to

Some Yankee fans will say that the club won’t need him by 2020. But what if they do? Not all prospects pan out. Remember that before you dismiss the closest thing MLB has seen to Mickey Mantle, since, well, Mickey Mantle.

According to Fangraphs, Trout had accumulated more WAR through his age-24 season (as of August 12, 2016) than any other player since 1913, with 45. Mickey Mantle was second with 41.1.

When Trout was told about the desire of Yankees fans wanting to see him patrolling CF at the Stadium sometime soon, he responded:

"I know, I hear it all the time."

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So enjoy your time in the City of Angeles, Mike. But keep an eye on this newly invigorated Yankees organization and the product in which they put out on the field. Especially in late summer of 2019.