Mets' latest trade has an unintended Yankees ripple effect with depressing DFA

If you want to give Brian Cashman credit for exactly one thing during his recent run as a budget-conscious Yankees GM, it's that whether he trades for an ace or a flop, he usually picks the correct prospects to surrender.

Occasionally, the loss stings a bit — Agustin Ramirez looks like a very impressive hitter. Usually, in that case, the return was worth the guilt — Jazz Chisholm also looks like a very impressive hitter, and has had a larger impact in the Bronx than Ramirez likely would've (a 40-40 stretch over the course of 162 is tough to top).

With that in mind, it brings me no pleasure to report that one of Cashman's worst moves actually resulted in a truly negligible net loss for the Yankees — and one of the tough surrenders in the deal is now back up for grabs.

Frankie Montas was the worst acquisition of the summer of 2022. Not just the Yankees' worst acquisition, but the worst addition made by any team. His shoulder had ached back in June, but the Yankees either believed he'd shrugged it off or decided that made him an even more palatable target at a reduced price.

June 2022 might've been the last time things were truly blissful in New York. The Yankees' record was sterling. The prospect core included Jasson Domínguez, Anthony Volpe, and Ken Waldichuk as hyped unknowns; all three headed to the Futures Game that summer in Los Angeles. Mere weeks later, the Yanks were in a table-pounding tailspin and Waldichuk was on his way to Oakland as part of the package for Montas.

Frankie the Yankee provided eight starts in pinstripes and a 6.35 ERA; Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery, posted a 5.28 ERA across two seasons, and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2023. He was DFA'd by the Athletics on Monday as the corresponding move for squeezing Mets outcast Jeff McNeil onto the roster.

Athletics designate Ken Waldichuk for assignment, validating Yankees GM Brian Cashman's decision

Reunion, anyone?

The Montas trade was horrific, by any metric. Surrendering very little of value doesn't give Cashman the right to wear a crown here. The more dissatisfied GMs you bargain with, the unhappier everyone will be with what you're offering (and we all know Cashman isn't lining up with anyone this offseason).

The deal was all-time tragic for both sides, but only the Yankees were negatively affected by it. Waldichuk had very little value, but Montas helped suck the air out of a potential World Series run. The A's get the credit for the foist.