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MLB Trade Deadline 2016: Winners and losers

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Jul 20, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) hits a two run single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) hits a two run single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) celebrates with third base coach Joe Espada (53) after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) celebrates with third base coach Joe Espada (53) after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees never sell at the MLB Trade Deadline. They are always under the impression that they can compete, either making moves to add veterans or standing pat. This year was different, as they traded away multiple established stars to build their farm system.

Their flurry of activity started with trading two months of Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for a package around top prospect infielder Gleybar Torres. He’s a 19-year-old shortstop with speed and developing power (nine home runs in 2016, three in 2015). Torres could man shortstop for the Bronx Bombers within the next few years.

Top reliever Andrew Miller was then moved to the Cleveland Indians for a haul that included outfield prospect Clint Frazier and starting pitching prospect Justus Sheffield.

Frazier was recently promoted to Triple-A and may be close to MLB ready. He has plenty of power and speed, and could man a middle-of-the-order spot in the lineup for the Yankees by the summer of 2017.

Sheffield is a diminutive left-handed pitcher who has shown swing-and-miss stuff with 93 strikeouts in 95 innings at Single-A. He could be a No. 3 starter for them.

To add to the farm system depth, the Yankees also acquired 2015 first round pick Dillon Tate, a starting pitcher. They sent two months of Carlos Beltran to the Texas Rangers in return.

After years of relying on older players, the Yankees made the right call to cut the cord on those who couldn’t help them immediately. With the price teams are willing to pay for these veterans, even those on expiring contracts, it was worth it for them to cash in and pick up players who can help them by next year. None of them are guarantees to be great big league players, but with this current squad going nowhere, this needed to be done.

There’s always the chance the Yankees are just stocking up their farm system for a run at a big name this off-season, though. The mindset of the Steinbrenners is to win now. So if Frazier, Sheffield, Torres, and others can get established stars to push for a 2017 World Series title, then the possibilities are wide open.

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