The Yankees wanted Yandy Diaz but never got close.
The Yankees also were on Pete Fairbanks, Tanner Scott and available closers.
Some claim the Yankees were handicapped by a weak farm system, but all these young players were popular in trade talks: Jasson Dominguez, Ben Rice, Austin Wells, Chase Hampton, George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones (though Jones’ stock is down a tad due to his high whiff percentage).
One scary comp heard regarding Jones: Joey Gallo. The belief is Jones is better equipped to deal with New York. But they do share many traits: great speed/base runner, can play center field, elite power.
The Yankees had no great interest in trading any of those players — especially not Wells or Dominguez, who must be added to the resurgent lineup.
The Yankees also like 2B prospect Caleb Durbin, who’s described as “Jose Altuve light.” Listed at 5-foot-6, Durbin is believed to be slightly taller.
The Rays and the Blue Jays represent opposite ends of the logic spectrum — with the Rays doing the right thing and selling big in the right market, and the Jays only trading a few rental pieces when their chances to contend against the Orioles and Yankees even next year seem remote.
Fairly, the Rays have the advantage of being able to sell when they’re close to the wild card in a small market with practically no media and a trusting (and small) fan base. Meanwhile, the Jays are in a big market with skeptical media and fans upset to see Shohei Ohtani in LA and Juan Soto here.
Jays fans chanted, “Fire Atkins,” regarding GM Ross Atkins, but perhaps their well-received trade of Yusei Kikuchi for three prospects may save him and boss Mark Shapiro, who’s said to really be making the big baseball calls.
Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) works out prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The better thing would have been to trade star slugger Vlad Guerrero Jr., and the Mariners and Astros expressed keen interest.
