Via the ever-intrepid Chad Jennings, here’s Brian Cashman:
“You saw how quickly the (Ian) Clarkins and (Aaron) Judges have climbed the prospect list,” Cashman said. “Once we got (Andrew) Miller, it created a circumstance for us where Miller plus the draft pick weighed out for us as we move forward as a better buy than having to go all-in on (Dave) Robertson.”
It was not by random chance that Cashman used Clarkin and Judge to illustrate his point. By letting Robertson leave, the Yankees will get a sandwich pick at the end of next year’s first round. Clarkin and Judge were sandwich picks just two years ago — compensation for losing Nick Swisher and Rafael Soriano — and they have emerged as two of the top prospects in the system. Judge is the team’s No. 1 prospect according to the latest rankings from Baseball Prospectus. Clarkin is No. 4 on that list.
There seems to be a sort of turning of the page happening with the Yankees system. Aside from Brett Gardner’s extension during spring training, there has been no effort to keep the most recent homegrown core in place, but there has been a renewed focus on building a new core that might trickle onto the big league roster in the next year or so.
Francisco Cervelli has been traded away. Same for Shane Greene. Robertson was allowed to leave via free agency. So were Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano. It’s not that the Yankees are intentionally getting rid of these players — and let’s not pretend they had some new version of the Core Four in place — but the Yankees are not putting overwhelming emphasis on keeping the homegrown players who have already reached the big leagues. Being homegrown is not reason enough to commit.
“I wouldn’t say we let Cano walk,” Cashman said. “He was taken with a significant offer. I don’t really look at it as if we’ve let anyone walk. In this case, I don’t think Robertson had anything to do with Cano. Robertson we did not make an offer. We made a significant one on Robbie. Obviously Seattle stepped up and blew the field away.”
And more, here.
Oh, yeah, and: Lester.
[Photo Via: Gloss Trotter]
Is Cashman bipolar? He doesn't trade for prospects in July - even when the Yankees have no chance of making the playoffs - because the Yankees are just not that type of team (his words!), then comes the off-season and he's all nutty over getting a sandwich pick. And building up the farm system and making sure we are working to building another core four.
I'm all for building up our farm, but I just wish he would think like this when the Yankees are playing .500 baseball in July instead of being all delusional and acting like he has the 1995 Yankees roster that will fight through adversity to be a wild-card team to be reckoned with.
Is Cashman a DICK? YESSSSSS!!!!
that last line got chopped off for some reason, it was preceded with the following: [In Marv Albert's voice]
You have to spin t somehow.
The Yanks still have some offeseason surprises in store.
Prediction: Scherzer signs for 8 years and 185 mil. Maybe not the Yamks but somebody will shell it out.
I wish they would build up the farm but they just don't rebuild. When did they last throw in the towell and blow the team up like the Sox did?
I know a team like a newly owned Dodgers doesn't come around often to bail a team out but you got to be open to it. Imagine if they got rid of ARod, Tex and CC and had to throw in Gardner as a sweetener to the Dodgers 3 years ago?
[3] I would love that trade, although I would miss Gardner terribly. I absolutely love Gardy!
[1] Great point.
Yeah, I could definitely live with a down year or two if it were the beginning of a really intelligent and thorough rebuild. The half-way thing is frustrating.
[5] The previous post shows why complete rebuild can't happen. Actually, it's not necessary. They have good young players on the way and Cashman and Hal know that they need a new core to contend for years. They have a plan, give them a little time. The hardest thing to do professional sports is to contend while rebuilding.
[6] I would love to know what Cashman's plan is because he seems to just be winging it.
[7] When George got suspended the Yanks had a chance to rebuild. Hal wants to do it again. Give him some time and save the draft picks.
[8] So you think Cashman is doing a good job?
[9] Yes
I think Hal has some Scrooge McDuck in him.
If they sign Scherzer at that money it will make scream. Don't keep HOFer Cano but give that $ to a pitcher with two good seasons? Please don't!
I always think that Boras gets the sportswriters to carry his water at this time of year. Of course, he would never pay for a favorable story.
He is desperate to have Scherzer top Lester by a large margin and is willing to go all out to win the prize. Heyman et al will have a little something in their stocking.
Two words: Carlos Beltran.
In the words of Andrew Lockhart, "What the fucking fuck!"