The Yankees' trade for Andrew Benintendi signaled the start of what may be a very busy trade deadline in the Bronx.
Fans, though, shouldn't hold their breath for a blockbuster deal.
Since 2017, the Yankees have been players at the trade deadline. The truth is, though, they're not major players in the seismic moves that come down at the buzzer.
You read the headlines: "Yankees inquiring…" "Yankees putting out feelers…" That's all fine and good, but when it comes to the mega-stars on the market at deadline time, the Yankees have been a tier or two below. This year, the buzz has started again: Juan Soto, Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas are names that the Yankees have been attached to, but we'll see if anything comes to pass.
Bombers fans shouldn't fret, though: It's always better to make the moves than not. Of the prospects the Yankees have traded in recent years, a number of them haven't made the majors. Ian Clarkin, Blake Rutherford, Luis Rijo and others haven't sniffed the big-league level, while major league players sent out also haven't exactly had staying power in the game.
MORE: MLB trade deadline tracker — Latest rumors, deals and more
Still, general manager Brian Cashman hasn't been one to part with ample prospect capital in deals for proven superstars at the deadline. This year, waiting for that blockbuster deal may prove to be fruitless. Recent history paints that picture:
Yankees recent MLB trade deadline history
2017
Yankees acquired: 3B Todd Frazier, RP David Robertson, RP Tommy Kahnle, SP Jaime Garcia, SP Sonny Gray
Others traded at deadline: Yu Darvish (Dodgers)
The "Baby Bombers'" sudden arrival on the scene forced Cashman's hand to add reinforcements at the deadline. Most worked out.
Todd Frazier hit 11 home runs for the Yankees down the stretch, plus another in the ALCS vs. the Astros. Tommy Kahnle became a big piece of the Yankees' bullpen in 2017, but would falter in 2018 and 2019. Jaime Garcia was an innings eater, but didn't amount to much more, and would hit free agency after the season.
The white whale, though, was Sonny Gray. His transition to New York went smoothly at first, until a mediocre September and two meh postseason starts cast doubts over his viability as a staff ace.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers would trade for Yu Darvish, who helped push Los Angeles to the World Series before signing with the Cubs. Yes — rental (Darvish) vs. team control (Gray) was probably the deciding factor in the deal, but considering Gray wasn't long for New York, maybe pulling the trigger on the better pitcher would have been the play.
Gray spent the 2018 season on the roster, before he was sent to Cincinnati in the offseason.
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2018
Yankees acquired: RP Zack Britton, SP J.A. Happ, 1B/DH Luke Voit, SP Lance Lynn
Others traded at deadline: Manny Machado (Dodgers); Tommy Pham (Rays); Austin Meadows (Rays); Tyler Glasnow (Rays)
The biggest move the Yankees made came before the season, when they acquired Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins. J.A. Happ, the top target for the Yankees at the deadline, pitched well down the stretch before he was shellacked by the Red Sox in the playoffs.
Ultimately, there was no real game-changing, frontline starter available, but plenty of blockbusters: Manny Machado was sent to the Dodgers and the Rays pulled off a franchise-altering trade by sending Chris Archer to the Pirates.
2019
Yankees acquired: SP Alfredo Garcia
Others traded during deadline: Zack Greinke (Astros); Shane Greene (Braves); Mark Melancon (Braves)
The Yankees stayed quiet in 2019, sending Joe Harvey to the Rockies for minor league pitcher Alfredo Garcia. That was their sole move of the deadline.
This year wasn't exactly rife with talent on the move, either: Zack Greinke went from the Diamondbacks to the Astros at the buzzer, the lone deal that saved the deadline from being exceptionally boring. Can't blame the Yankees for a lack of movement overall, especially with Greinke potentially not approving a deal to the Yankees (and New York not wanting to add money).
MORE: Juan Soto trade packages: How Cardinals, Mets could offer best potential deals
2020
Yankees acquired: N/A
Others traded during deadline: Mike Clevinger (Padres); Robbie Ray (Blue Jays); Ross Stripling (Blue Jays); Taijuan Walker (Blue Jays)
The 2020 trade deadline was a weird one. The shortened season made things really difficult for teams trying to figure out if they were contending or not. Ultimately, the Yankees — and other contenders — opted not to make any moves.
There were a few "What ifs?" Robbie Ray went to the Blue Jays, where he'd win the Cy Young in 2021. The Yankees were reportedly in on his services, too. Mike Clevinger, who went to the Padres, could have been had for two of Deivi Garcia, Clint Frazier and Clarke Schmidt, a report said.
2021
Yankees acquired: 1B/OF Joey Gallo, 1B Anthony Rizzo, RP Clay Holmes, RP Joely Rodriguez, P Andrew Heaney
Others traded during deadline: Max Scherzer (Dodgers); Trea Turner (Dodgers); Kris Bryant (Giants); Joc Pederson (Braves)
After a few quiet years, Cashman got back to his trading ways to try and push the Yankees to that elusive World Series.
It worked, kinda: With the acquisitions, the Yankees went 21-8 in August, though Joey Gallo couldn't keep up pace and production from his pre-trade 4.2 bWAR with the Rangers. Anthony Rizzo capitalized on his eight-homer performance in pinstripes, parlaying that into a contract extension with the Yankees this offseason. Gallo's time in New York is ticking down.
Clay Holmes has supplanted Aroldis Chapman as the team's closer in 2022, while Joely Rodriguez and Andrew Heaney are both off the team.
