Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: Buyers’ Untouchable Prospects

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (right) bats against catcher Trent Garrison (left) during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (right) bats against catcher Trent Garrison (left) during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees

Needs: Starting pitching, second base

Targets: Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels, Ben Zobrist

Guessing what the New York Yankees will do at the trade deadline may be about as difficult as catching a fish with your bare hands. Every time you think you have a handle on it, it wriggles free and you lose a grip on the situation. We know the team needs to add to its rotation and find a replacement for Stephen Drew at second base, but the Yankees seem to lack the urgency to make such moves at this time, even with the deadline looming.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman through the most recent swerve earlier this week, when he told the New York Daily News the following:

"“Are there available starters that are better? Yes, but the acquisitions cost are certain players that I have no intention of moving at this stage,” Cashman said. “I would say the smarter play would be to hold off on shooting any of those particular bullets.”"

Interpretation: We’re not moving Aaron Judge or Luis Severino in order to add more payroll or to take on a rental.

In Severino, the Yankees have the pitching prospect that the farm system has lacked in recent years. He has a big arm, regularly hitting the high-90’s on a fastball he can dial up to 99 MPH at times. He complements that with a change-up that drops in their with a lot of late movement and a developing slider. Just 21-years-old, Severino has made 17 starts across both Double and Triple-A in 2015, boasting a 7-2 record, a 2.45 ERA, and an 8.6 K/9 ratio. He’s also surrendered just two home runs over 88.1 innings this season.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge is one of those power prospects that teams are often reluctant to move, especially when it is at a premium in today’s game. The 23-year-old has it in spades, with 43 doubles, 31 home runs, and 133 RBI across his first two professional seasons. Starting the season at Double-A, Judge has mustered a solid slash-line of .282/.352/.485 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI in 2015. He’s slowed a bit since hitting Triple-A, but his long-term potential is too much for the Yankees to give up on as a potential trade piece.

Given Cashman’s previous abilities to move prospects of lesser regard, the Yankees will try to swing deals around lower-impact prospects. Arms like Bryan Mitchell and Brady Lail may peak some interests, and the Yankees may also be willing to listen on catcher Gary Sanchez. However, New York doesn’t appear to feel any pressure to make a high-caliber move this summer and may only add depth pieces.

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