Cashman is money for Yankees at trade deadline | Lucas

We now have reached beyond the dog days of summer, and we’re looking into the deep abyss of the stretch run that leads us into the postseason this October. World-renowned psychic Brian Cashman rebuilt his ball club quickly, and now, with a few final moves this past week, looks to put his plan into action this autumn. Using an…

We now have reached beyond the dog days of summer, and we’re looking into the deep abyss of the stretch run that leads us into the postseason this October.

World-renowned psychic Brian Cashman rebuilt his ball club quickly, and now, with a few final moves this past week, looks to put his plan into action this autumn.
Using an efficiency almost like that of General Eisenhower, the Yankees general manager compounded his draft choices, trades and free agent signings of the last half-decade with a series of trades to acquire veteran talent for his postseason push.

In a span of six days, the future Hall of Fame executive completed six trades to put the Yankees into great position for their 28th World Championship.

On July 24, Cashman put baseball’s best bullpen in the majors into the conversation of one of the best bullpens in Major League history by acquiring left-hander Zach Britton from the division rival Baltimore Orioles. In exchange, the Yankees dealt three minor league pitchers; right-handers Cody Carroll and Dillon Tate, and southpaw Josh Rogers. Although Britton pitched in 16 only games for the Orioles this year, he averaged 40 saves per season between 2014 and 2016, and recorded an ERA below two each year. He will be one of four Yankees (Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, and David Robertson) with the qualifications to be a great closer, which makes their bullpen even more frightening. Carroll seems to be a decent reliever in middle to late innings, and Tate, and Rogers’ ceilings seem to be in the middle of the rotation. Baltimore got a great return, especially considering Britton’s contract is up this year, but a championship for the Yankees would make it worth the return.

Two days later, the Yankees made up for their losses in the Britton deal with what seemed to be a steal. Cashman once again traded with a division rival, this time the Toronto Blue Jays, and got left-handed starter J.A. Happ in exchange for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney. Happ is exactly the veteran lefty starter the Yankees need in the middle of the rotation with Justin Montgomery out until next year. The 35-year-old is also in the final year of his contract, but recorded the save in the All-Star Game last month. He has pitched over a decade in the majors and worked out of the bullpen to help the Phillies win the World Series in 2008. His one-run, six-inning outing in his first start as a Yankee should prove him worthy to complement Luis Severino, C.C. Sabathia, and Masahiro Tanaka in the postseason rotation, though he could also serve effectively as a long reliever. The Yankees acquired Drury last winter from the Diamondbacks in the hopes that he would take over at third base, but his injuries, the emergence of Miguel Andujar, and the depth of the team have kept him off the field. McKinney is a decent outfielder who could hit well in the sixth or seventh spot in the lineup, but depth has kept him from the Major League level as well. The Yankees took two average players that could not fit onto their roster and turned them into a key asset.

On Sunday, Cashman dealt relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos to the Cardinals for minor league first baseman Luke Voit and future considerations. This was more of a cap move. Shreve has improved lately, but he has had a rough year, and the Yankees did not give Gallegos enough appearances. Cashman may be making the move to clear up room, both on the roster and the salary, for Britton to re-sign this offseason. Voit’s batting numbers look similar to those of McKinney, and he could be a good hitter off the bench or an occasional designated hitter.

That same day, minor league reliever Caleb Frare traded Yankees pinstripes for White Sox, also in exchange for future considerations. This move may be to get something out of Rule 5 draft picks Cashman cannot protect, but Frare had a 0.62 ERA in 31 appearances at AA Trenton this year, so the return should be beneficial to the Yankees.

Cashman again upgraded his pitching staff on Monday with the addition of Lance Lynn. A World Champion with the Cardinals in 2011, Lynn recorded an ERA below four in each of his seven seasons in St. Louis. In his first year with the Twins this season, he posted an ERA of 5.10 but improved his trade value with a 3.74 ERA in his last 12 starts. He should help the Yankees in the back of the rotation or the bullpen and bring a veteran presence to the clubhouse this October. The Yankees gave up Tyler Austin, who would have seen less playing time with the re-emergence of Greg Bird, as well as Luis Rijo, another solid minor league starter shadowed by higher draft picks.

Lastly, Cashman traded an excellent swingman in Adam Warren for the second time, this time to the Seattle Mariners for future considerations. Warren was very consistent as a middle reliever, but Cashman once again needs to keep under the cap.

Although the Yankees did not get another outfielder with Aaron Judge out for some time, Cashman certainly made his club better than it was before Tuesday’s trade deadline, and his team looks good enough to possibly make the postseason and another deep run.