Brian Cashman Quickly Developing New York Yankees’ Future Core
By Phil Akre
With his recent moves on the trade market, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has acquired high-impact prospects and significantly upgraded an already improving farm system.
There were always the doubters. The one’s who called for Brian Cashman’s head when he didn’t go and acquire the big name, or when he traded for the guy who couldn’t perform.
But now, we should be celebrating. The Yankees’ GM has done a wonderful job the last few days of not only acquiring young talent, but building what is shaping up to be the core of the next great Yankees team.
He’s been at this for a while, however. It started out when he traded away Shane Greene, who’s been in AAA, for the unproven and inconsistent shortstop, Didi Gregorius, who has blossomed in his everyday role, and looks to be the future at shortstop.
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It was last year at the deadline when Cashman was so tempted to pry Cole Hamels away from the Phillies, knowing it would cost him Luis Severino or Aaron Judge, maybe both. Severino went on to electrify New York after a call-up midseason, while Judge is the clear heir to right field once Carlos Beltran leaves this season.
With the 18th overall pick in this years draft, Cashman got a steal in outfielder Blake Rutherford, who was projected as a top ten pick. While he’s only 19 years old, it’s clear the Yankees love him, and he is projected to shoot through the minors, eventually becoming an everyday outfielder in the Bronx.
Then, in the midst of a rare truly mediocre season, Brian Cashman realized he had assets he could deal. It began with shipping fireballer Aroldis Chapman for Gleyber Torres, a 19-year-old middle infielder with star potential and two other promising youngsters. Not to forget, the Yankees still have speedster Jorge Mateo down in A-ball.
The toughest pill to swallow came when Andrew Miller was dealt to the Cleveland Indians. It wasn’t a necessary move, but a smart one. In return, top prospect Clint Frazier came back, and by the looks of it, he is surely the Yankees left-fielder of the future. Justus Sheffield, nephew of Gary, is part of the return as well, and he’s a 20-year-old with a bright future in the bigs.
Next: Yankees Acquire Tyler Clippard
It’s these new additions coupled with the presence of guys like Greg Bird, Aaron Judge and Luis Severino that have given Yankees fans all the reason to be optimistic for the future.
Of course, the trade deadline isn’t here yet, and many more moves could be on the way. Even if trading Miller is Cashman’s last move of the deadline, Yankees fan should be pretty happy with the job he’s done.
Because the future for baseball in the Bronx is a bright one.