Yankees: Are they priming us for the really big one?

When the Yankees insist that they will not go headlong into trades that mean giving up prospects, are they merely playing with us and the rest of the baseball world? Or, is that colossal one just around the corner?

The Yankees, as they should, have always kept things pretty close to their vest when it comes to things like injuries, trades, promotions, demotions, etc. Those of us in the media and fans everywhere speculate, cajole, and sometimes even attempt to trick the team into divulging what their next move will be. Rarely, does it work.

This season, most Yankees fans have caught the fever surrounding a team that continues to surprise. We are a full quarter into the 2017 season, and the Yankees have shown no signs of letting up as we move closer to the dog days of summer.

But the nagging question persists. Are the Yankees in it to win it, or are they happy with the way the season is developing, letting chips fall where they may with an eye more towards 2018?

Because if they’re going all in to win a World Championship this year, it’s painfully clear that they don’t have the one-two pitching punch that it takes to win a playoff series, much less the World Series.

It’s been the Yankees mantra this season

Time and time again, Brian Cashman has repeated the Yankees mantra that he will not sell the farm to improve the team. But at the same time, he’s always added the caveat that if the right deal comes along, we’ll take it. So, which is it?

In February, he could get away with the doublespeak, and no one cared or even noticed. But as Yogi Berra famously said, “It gets late early out here.” And in eight weeks or so, the time will be now – or never.

Moreover, with teams like the Astros in the hunt for starting pitching, plus the Red Sox, who can’t count on the return of David Price at full strength. Or take the case of the Cubs, with Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, who seem to be suffering from the fatigue of last season already, the time to move may be sooner, rather than later at the deadline.

More from Yanks Go Yard

If the Yankees do decide to go all in, Gerrit Cole is the number one prize and not Jose Quintana. Cole is your ace of the staff, while Quintana is only a number two or on some staffs even a number three.

That being said, what will the Pirates be looking for in return for Cole? The answer would seem to be a quality starter to replace Cole in the rotation, plus at least one, but more likely, two top prospects in your organization.

For the Yankees, this would mean someone like Luis Severino if a team wants some major league experience, or possibly a Chance Adams or Chad Green, who’s currently a reliever for the Yankees if a team intends to raid the prospects. Michael Pineda would also be in the mix if a team wanted to gamble on signing him as a free agent in the fall. But any deal would have to include one or two of the Yankees top prospects, minus Gleyber Torres.

Brian needs a new plan, the times have changed

Brian Cashman was in the driver’s seat last year, holding Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran, and Aroldis Chapman out as bait. He won big, but now the shoe is on the other foot. How will he play it when he hears other teams mentioning names like Clint Frazier, Adams, Tyler Wade, Justus Sheffield and on down the line. Will he blink or pull the trigger?

Video courtesy of the YES Network

It would be helpful if the Yankees can find a team that has a quality starter and is looking for offense because the Bombers have plenty of that. From the major leagues all the way through their farm system down to Class-A Charleston where the team’s outfield of the future is already playing together.

Someone, though, is going to add Cole, Quintana, Sonny Gray, and possibly Ervin Santana to their rotation before all is said and done. And when these teams make that move, it’ll be a quick picker-upper and a shift into a fifth gear that immediately alters the odd in Las Vegas.

Ever get a feeling?

You know how sometimes you just sense something. I’m feeling it, and you know what did it for me? It’s the “Judge’s Chambers” at Yankee Stadium. Which, to me, signifies a move away from the “corporate” Yankees to more of a fan-based team and franchise.

The Yankees and their fans know that 2009 seems like a century ago when you count “Yankee Years.” And Hal Steinbrenner has to, at least occasionally, wake up in the morning asking himself, “What would Dad do?”

Yankees: Should they stay with the plan or go for number 28?

Soon, the Yankees will be facing their most crucial question of this young season. Do they stand pat or go for their 28th World Championship via trades?

Well, we know what dad would do. The Question is what Hal and Brian will do?

I feel a whopper of a deal coming.

Home/Yankees News