As the trade deadline approaches in Major League Baseball, all eyes are on Brian Cashman, the general manager of the New York Yankees. Despite initial expectations as aggressive “buyers,” the 2023 season has brought unexpected challenges, pushing the Yankees out of contention for the American League Wild Card. With their offense struggling and star player Aaron Judge still recovering from injury, Cashman and the Yankees’ leadership are now considering a remarkable shift in strategy – becoming sellers at the trade deadline.
Cashman considers trade deadline sell-off for Yankees
A shocking update penned by Andy Martino of SNY revealed that the usually assertive New York Yankees franchise is seriously considering parting ways with key assets before the trade deadline. Such a move is incredibly rare for a team that is renowned for its aggressive pursuit of talent and championship aspirations.
However, the Yankees’ current situation has left them with little choice but to consider this uncharacteristic course of action. The 2023 season has been nothing short of a disaster for the Yankees, with nearly all the moves made by General Manager Brian Cashman to build a championship-caliber team falling short of expectations.
The most significant blow came with the repeated absences of Aaron Judge, who just months ago signed the third-richest contract in baseball history. His prolonged injuries have left a massive void in the Yankees’ lineup and severely impacted their offensive firepower.
On the pitching front, the signing of Carlos Rodon to a seven-year contract has failed to yield desired results. After missing the entire first half of the season due to injury, Rodon’s return to the mound was marred by a poor performance, which he punctuated with an ill-advised gesture to disgruntled fans after surrendering four runs in just two innings.
Adding to the team’s woes, Frankie Montas, another pitching acquisition, has struggled to make a meaningful impact, leaving the Yankees with a lackluster rotation.
To compound the issues, existing players on the roster, including Stanton, Rizzo, LeMahieu, and Donaldson, have not lived up to expectations, further contributing to the team’s downfall.
Given the grim outlook for the rest of the season, it’s understandable that Yankees’ management is now contemplating the possibility of selling assets at the trade deadline. Such a move would signal a significant shift in the team’s approach, as they would part ways with players who could be valuable to other contending teams.
However, some players might prove challenging to trade due to their hefty contracts. Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson are unlikely to find many takers, while DJ LeMahieu’s recent decline in performance has diminished his market value.
On the other hand, Anthony Rizzo, with his leadership and clubhouse presence, could draw interest from contending teams, but he might also be a valuable asset to retain for the Yankees’ future.
If the Yankees ultimately decide to be sellers, they might consider parting ways with players like Gleyber Torres, Harrison Bader, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Billy McKinney, Domingo German, Willie Calhoun, and Greg Allen. Additionally, some bullpen pitchers may also become trade candidates, except for Holmes, Peralta, Marinaccio, or King.
The final decisions will undoubtedly be influenced by how the team performs leading up to the trade deadline. As fans eagerly wait to see how this unexpected twist unfolds, the Yankees’ leadership faces a difficult task in balancing their desire for immediate success with the need to plan for a more promising future. For now, the uncertainty looms large over one of baseball’s most storied franchises.
Yes, in favor of selling. Cashman and Boone should be sold.