Yankees' internal assessment sounds like Juan Soto trade was resounding victory

Whatever the outcome, the New York Yankees' trade for Juan Soto was the right one. And there were very few things Brian Cashman could do to make it feel like a mistake. Thankfully, he didn't do those things.

Not only that, but the Yankees feel as if they put together the best package from their perspective because they were able to hang on to all the pitching talent they preferred and prioritized, anyway. Could that bit of information merely be a ploy for the Yankees to blow more smoke up their rear end? Sure. We'll never rule that out.

But you're a Yankees fan, aren't you? You're accustomed to how these dealings go. Whenever the Yankees make a trade and it doesn't feel right, you know right away. There's almost immediate backlash. There's an unnecessary analysis of all the prospects involved or general outrage in the players coming back to New York.

For the Soto deal, however, didn't it feel like this thing went down without a hitch (outside of the various delays)? Are you still uncomfortable with what the Yankees sent to the Padres in return?

No! You've already forgotten! That's why we were all over Yoshinobu Yamamoto. That's why everyone's looking for better rotation options outside Michael King. That's why we're already looking at the next guys up in the top end of the farm system.

Yankees' internal assessment sounds like Juan Soto trade was resounding victory

Turns out, the Yankees are doing the exact same thing (subscription required). The reason the Soto deal felt like it dragged on was because Cashman and Co. were "trying different permutations to satisfy San Diego" all the while avoiding giving up their best young pitchers for arguably the best all-around hitter in the game.

Don't forget, they also received a very viable and reliable fourth outfielder in Trent Grisham. And all it essentially cost them was three swingmen, a single top prospect, and a backup catcher. Though King, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez showed promise, they were by no means irreplaceable.

And if the Yankees are valuing Chase Hampton more than Drew Thorpe, wasn't this the best possible way to go about the trade? Doesn't it make it feel like even more of a victory beyond merely acquiring Juan Soto?

King is entering his age-29 season. The Yankees properly showcased Brito and Vasquez just enough to maximize their trade value without making them key components of the pitching staff. Thorpe was somebody who simply had to go in any talks involving Soto. Higashioka was roster fodder after Austin Wells' emergence.

Remember the last time Cashman cleared the top end of the Yankees farm system in trades with the Texas Rangers for Joey Gallo and Chicago Cubs for Anthony Rizzo and Scott Effross (among other moves)? The Yankees didn't feel a thing and moved forward with better talent (both in their eyes, and objectively how it all transpired).

This time, it's Soto plus moving forward with talent that's expected to be superior. That sounds much better, doesn't it?