Yankees reportedly tried (and failed) to clear 2 big contracts at MLB trade deadline

The New York Yankees pulled off a whirlwind of wheeling and dealing at the 2022 MLB trade deadline that resulted in a few obvious upgrades (Frankie Montas, come on down!) and a few head-scratchers (Harrison Bader, don’t come too quickly, you’re in a walking boot!).

When all was said and done, though, there were a few remaining unfulfilled promises. Brian Cashman needed to secure additional pitching depth, so much so that it was widely theorized he’d add a front-line guy (Montas), as well as a back-end depth piece (a la Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn in years past). Instead, he imported Montas, but sold Jordan Montgomery, maintaining the status quo with Domingo German in the fifth spot.

There were also a few bits of bigger business Cashman probably pursued in a dream, but never thought he’d actually get to in real life. Spoiler alert? The Yankees were working the phones, but nobody was answering.

Outfielder Miguel Andújar (and, hell, same with Estevan Florial) is probably surprised to still be in the Yankees’ system after the deadline expired. According to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, Cashman attempted to move him, but was unsuccessful.

Additionally, Cashman also tried the “pie in the sky” moves of clearing the final 3.5 years of Aaron Hicks’ contract extension, as well as the ultra-expensive 1.5 years of Josh Donaldson’s salary. Apparently, he’s not loving the Donaldson Experience as much as the defensive metrics indicate he should be. Neither venture was successful.

Yankees couldn’t trade Miguel Andújar, Aaron Hicks, Josh Donaldson at MLB trade deadline

Donaldson’s $25 million will be nearly-impossible to trade, though if the Yanks were willing to try midseason, they’re surely going to do so again when the campaign wraps. Whether completed or not, it doesn’t reflect well on Cashman’s move to absorb his salary in the first place, considering he’s already reportedly willing to attach prospects to make it disappear halfway through the commitment.

The Hicks deal will be easier to move — and, if you believe Thursday’s chatter, the center fielder’s as good as gone after 2022. All that’s left to figure out is the prospect package.

In the case of Andújar … couldn’t get anything done there?! He’s basically free? Don’t even need anything back. Just take the fellow. The Yankees aren’t using him.

While all three of these failed moves make roster-building sense, it’s still somewhat amazing that the 2022 Yankees, 70-34 when the deadline passed, were willing to consider such drastic roster shakeups, all the way down to Gleyber Torres heading to Miami. When the dust settled, only one confounding move — Jordan Montgomery to St. Louis — actually materialized.

Could’ve been even more uncomfortable to explain, though.