Yankees: How many prospects traded by Brian Cashman became All-Stars?

Yankees GM Brian Cashman is known for executing steals when working the trade market. Since he plans on looking at all options this winter, let’s take an honest look at how many stars he’s traded away.

Some Yankees fans believe Brian Cashman may be too gun-shy when it comes to trading away prospects. Sure, some top minor leaguers become All-Stars, but usually, that isn’t the case, and Cashman is fully aware of that reality.

Since Cashman ascended to the role of GM in 1998 — after starting as an intern with the organization in 1986, he’s made a ton of trades. Some of those deals were good, and some were bad. If you’re wondering how many of these prospects traded away became All-Stars, I’m about to answer that question for you.

Only seven of the many Yankee prospects dealt by Cashman over the years eventually made an All-Star appearance. Those men are Cristian Guzman, Eric Milton, Mike Lowell, Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly, Dioner Navarro and Mark Melancon.

The future All-Stars Cashman traded away

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Before the beginning of the 1998 season, future two-time All-Star middle infielder Cristian Guzman and one-time All-Star pitcher Eric Milton were shipped to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for second baseman Chuck Knoblauch.

A year later, in February of 1999, the Yankees traded away 25-year-old top infield prospect Mike Lowell to the Florida Marlins in exchange for a package of minor league pitchers. Since the Yanks completed a three-year contract extension for 1998 World Series MVP Scott Brosius, Cashman didn’t see a need to keep Lowell in the minors. Unfortunately for Cashman, Lowell went on to appear in four All-Star games.

On June 29, 2000, the Yankees decided to stop flirting with the idea of acquiring slugger Sammy Sosa and instead traded future one-time All-Star pitcher Jake Westbrook and a few other prospects in exchange for David Justice to the Cleveland Indians.

When the Yankees were looking to add starting pitching in the second half of the 2002 season, Cashman needed to construct a three-team trade. Prospect and future two-time All-Star pitcher Ted Lilly and a package of other prospects were shipped to the Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers for pitcher Jeff Weaver, who was sent to New York. First baseman Carlos Pena said goodbye to Oakland and hello to Detroit.

Following an embarrassing loss after a three-game lead in the 2004 ALCS against the eventual World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, the Yankees were desperate to improve their starting rotation. So, on New Year’s Eve of 2004, it was announced that the Yankees acquired Randy Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for future All-Star catcher Dioner Navarro, veteran pitcher Javier Vazquez and young left-hander Brad Halsey.

Before the 2010 trade deadline, the Yankees acquired Houston Astros slugger Lance Berkman in exchange for future three-time All-Star reliever Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes.

Only a few got away, so Cashman should be aggressive this winter

Since the luxury tax isn’t as big of a concern now, and the Boston Red Sox just won the World Series with the highest payroll in MLB, now may be the appropriate time to be aggressive. With pitchers like Seattle Mariners southpaw James Paxton, and Cleveland Indians pitchers Carlos Carrasco and ace Corey Kluber available on the trade market, I want Cashman to make a move for an ace.

Then again, holding on to prospects like Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, and Gary Sanchez has given Cashman and the Yankees a bright future.

Will Cashman make a trade or two to acquire pitching or will he sign free agents like J.A. Happ, Patrick Corbin or Dallas Keuchel? What’s the saying in Game of Thrones? “Winter is coming,” and the night is dark and filled with many rumors.