Yankees don't get enough grief for losing 2 key assets in Camilo Doval trade

At the time of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the consensus was that the New York Yankees had swapped out a bunch of mid-ceiling prospects in exchange for a group of high-ceiling bounce back relievers. If they could only enhance Jake Bird and get Camilo Doval back on track, they'd really be cooking. One-half year later, you'll never guess what it looks like now.

That's right! Bird's in the minors and Doval is decidedly tantalizing, but still unfixed. The Bird trade is (correctly) roasted by the masses, but it's really the Doval deal where the Yankees foolishly gave up on some potential hidden gems, two of which have hit their stride in the Giants' system.

This spring seemed like Parks Harber Season, as the undrafted free agent out of the University of North Carolina turned heads after torching every league he touched last season. He hit .323 with a .970 OPS on the year, and raised that to .333/1.095 in 25 games with High-A Eugene in the Giants system. Unfortunately, his promotion to Double-A Richmond has been held up by injury this year (a nasty Grade 2 hamstring strain), but that's only delaying the inevitable. Harber has been raking while capably covering third base for the better part of a year. We've got Ryan McMahon.

While Harber's been sidelined, another underrated asset has stolen the spotlight: the versatile Jesús Rodríguez is hitting nearly .350 at Triple-A. Rodríguez catches and plays third base. Of course he does.

If you're a former Yankees prospect — especially if you were traded for a certified bullpen mess, then you! Are! Raking!

Yankees' David Bednar trade is the only 2025 deadline saving grace - for now

Though Bednar's velocity is down to begin 2025, The Bear's early growing pains are nothing compared to the scuffles of the package the Yankees sent to the Pirates in exchange for him. Bednar provided enough value in 2025 alone for the deal to have been worth it; centerpiece Rafael Flores hitting .184 at Triple-A while maligned No. 1 pick Henry Davis seizes the reins on a resurgent Pirates club has cemented it.

Still, there will be no victory laps here for going 1-for-3. The Yankees were wise enough to develop Harber and Rodríguez, but foolish enough to believe they'd already hit their ceilings and were "sell high" candidates in exchange for relievers who can't be tamed. There's still time, but both Bird and Doval have created a lot of gnashed teeth in the Bronx, while Harper and Rodríguez could both be breaths of fresh air at positions of need.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow