MLB Trade Deadline: Yankees and Mets Report Cards

Here’s a Report Card on the performance of Brian Cashman (Yankees) and Sandy Alderson (Mets) during the “MLB Trade Deadline” period.

As Yogi Berra famously said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” So make no mistakes, with waiver wire deals looming as a possibility for all teams (see previous article), the dealin’ ain’t done yet and there still remains a chance for all teams to improve themselves as the race to the wire begins in earnest immediately.

For all practical purposes though, the chances to score big have come and gone as of 4pm this past Monday. And for the past two or three weeks, the spotlight has shined brightly on the General Managers of both the Yankees and Mets. This has been for good reason too, because both teams had holes to fill and players to dispose of.

My colleagues Nick Ziegler and Kenneth Teape have been working feverishly with their excellent reporting keeping us posted on all of the moves made by both teams, including a list of all players inherited as well as anyone who is departing. So, there is no need to repeat the all of the names and faces that have changed teams or organizations.

So as a full time teacher, I like to hand out Report Cards and assign grades. In that light, Brian Cashman gets an A- and Sandy Alderson gets a D-………..and here’s why.

While not addressing all of the Yankees immediate needs, Cashman completely restocked the Yankees farm system and virtually guaranteed that the team will become younger and more athletic in the very near future. Needless to say, that is something that has been desired for a very long time, and now it is here. Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran, and Andrew Miller are all very good players, but you have to (of course) give up something to get something.

In sum, according to a piece written by Jim Callis for MLB.com, the Yankees may have emerged from this whole thing with the best, or one of the best farm systems in the majors.

On the negative side for Cashman, Mark Teixeria and Alex Rodriguez are still on the team. But that could change quickly if the front office pays attention to the press and media over the next week or so as the accolades come in for Cashman’s moves.

For the Mets, the picture is not so bright. A last minute deal for Jay Bruce, who is having a terrific year in the runs production department, may not add enough to a anemic lineup, especially if the sorely needed bat of Yoenis Cespedes is sidelined for days due to nagging injuries. Put this deal in the category of “You can’t say we did nothing”.

Beyond that, did I miss something? I’ll check again but I believe Jonathan Lucroy or Wil Myers are not on the Mets. And I don’t see any other additions to a struggling lineup that’s going to change anything.

Plus, what’s up with getting back Jonathan Niese, he of the career 1.50 WHIP? He didn’t last long with the Pirates after being acquired in the deal for Neil Walker, did he? And there’s a good reason why if you look a bit deeper at his numbers over the years.

Next: Who are the 5 greatest catchers in Yankees history?

In sum, Alderson’s moves are puzzlingly at best. He leaves it to Terry Collins to work some kind of voodoo magic to bring the team home to at least a playoff appearance. It ain’t gonna happen.

There’s still a chance for both teams to pick up some help with a waiver deal. For the Yankees, they pulled the plug and have the future to look forward to. For the Mets though, neither the present or future was made better by Alderson’s moves.

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