Brian Cashman defending Yankees-Frankie Montas trade is wrong for so many reasons

At this point, it's either the most unlucky coincidence in history or New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is bad at his job/employs incompetent people beneath him. What's the other explanation for high-profile trade acquisition after high-profile trade acquisition getting injured (or absolutely nosediving) in devastating fashion?

Let's go down the list! Aaron Hicks: we've dealt with him since 2015!! Aroldis Chapman: nobody liked him and his positive contributions never amounted to anything. Clint (Jackson) Frazier: in the running for most disappointing top prospect in recent memory? Sonny Gray: nightmare. Brandon Drury: the man couldn't see straight. Zack Britton: didn't get the job done and spent the last two years injured. Lance Lynn: what happened? James Paxton: you knew his injury history! Rougned Odor: why? Joey Gallo: the worst ever? Andrew Heaney: hilarious. Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa: insulting that that trade was considered a "blockbuster." Andrew Benintendi: 33 games and broke his wrist swinging a bat. Lou Trivino: starting 2023 on the IL. Harrison Bader: acquired injured, and now injured again. Scott Effross: 13 games pitched before needing Tommy John surgery. Frankie Montas: acquired injured, made eight starts, underwent shoulder surgery, probably won't see him in 2023.

And speaking of that last one, Montas admitted earlier this week that he wasn't 100% healthy when the Yankees traded for him at the 2022 deadline. Wow, didn't see that coming, did we?

Again, whether it's Cashman's direct fault or not, how can any fan trust that whatever move he makes will provide a positive impact for the team? Point to the trades for Wandy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Michael King, Jose Trevino, Anthony Rizzo and Jameson Taillon all you want. That's not enough to help a team win a championship.

But Cashman went the extra mile a day later to defend the deal for Montas, which, we're just not sure how you can. It's a loss in every corner of the sports world.

Brian Cashman defending Frankie Montas trade is a bad look for the Yankees

"I know [Wednesday] he said clearly he was hurt, but I think in terms of context, it’s easy for him to say that now, but when we got him, he said he felt great, he was feeling 100 percent and ready to go. I feel like he was genuine and sincere. So you go through the medical deep dive that you can do in-season. You deal with the player when you get him and how he’s feeling. Everything came back good and aces, and without concern. But it didn’t play out that way."

- Brian Cashman via the NY Post

So it's either Montas was acquired injured, he didn't know it, and the medicals weren't reviewed properly by the Yankees or Montas lied to the Yankees. Funny thing is, he HAD A SHOULDER INJURY THAT SIDELINED HIM IN JULY AND THE YANKEES ACQUIRED HIM ANYWAY. And as for Montas potentially lying to the Yankees, that probably tracks since he was previously dishonest after being suspended for performance-enhancing drugs back in 2019 -- another red flag the Yankees willingly overlooked!

Just because the Yankees couldn't acquire Luis Castillo didn't necessarily mean they had to go out and trade for the consolation prize in Montas. They dealt four prospects in that move. All of them could've been saved for another trade in the future or utilized for depth purposes.

Instead, here we are, trying to figure out who was dishonest about a trade that was never going to put the Yankees over the top anyway.