As the MLB trade deadline passes the New York Yankees come out as neither a winner or loser. Why? Well, it's because the Yankees, who are usually wheeling-and-dealing at the deadline, didn't make any moves. The last time that happened was1999.
On Saturday, The Yankees were in hot pursuit of starting pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda, but the Colorado Rockies wanted too much and Kuroda wanted to stay in Los Angeles. (Jimenez ended up going to the Cleveland Indians.) On Sunday, there were many reports that New York was interested in San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell, but he never moved, and then were trying to work something out with Houston Astros for left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez, who also didn't change teams.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox made a late deadline trade for starting pitcher Erik Bedard. And, possible first-round playoff opponent the Texas Rangers made moves for relief pitchers Mike Adams and Koji Uehara to shore up maybe the best bullpen in baseball. Luckily for the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays didn't move outfielder B.J. Upton and the Toronto Blue Jays did nothing major Sunday -- they did snag outfield Colby Rasmus from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the week, but that move isn't scaring anybody.
Obviously, Yankees' general manger Brian Cashman likes his team. And, he should. Right now, the Yankees are probably the fourth-best team in baseball -- Red Sox, Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies are in the top three after the deadline -- and still can beat anybody in a five- or seven-game series. Yes, the Yankees starting rotation is a bit thin -- currently, it looks like C.C. Sabthia, Freddie Garcia, Bartolo Colon, A.J. Burnett, Phil Huges/Ivan Nova -- but, it's still pretty good. Those guys can win you playoff games. And, New York's starting lineup is as good as any in baseball.
So, don't panic Yankee fans because your franchise kept all of their top-notch prospects and will be fine. Do they have enough talent to win a World Series? Time will tell.