The Yankees finalized a deal with the SF Giants before the midnight deadline that brings Andrew McCutchen to NY in exchange for NYY prospects Abiatal Avelino (SS) and Juan De Paula (P). The Giants are picking up $1.2M of the $2.4M remainder of McCutchen’s contract, keeping the Yanks under the $197M luxury tax.
This was an excellent trade made by Yankee GM Brian Cashman. My only criticism (and it’s a strong one) is that a trade for a right-fielder should have happened before the July trade deadline, not the August waiver deadline.
When Aaron Judge broke his wrist in late July, the Yankees medical staff was completely unrealistic when they estimated Judge’s return in 3 weeks. In Aaron’s absence, the Yankees right field “production” has been atrocious.
Since Judge has been put on the DL, Yankees right fielders are hitting a MLB worst .179 BA.with 4 HRs & 6 extra base hits (.299 slugging%)!! Shane Robinson was batting .143 in 24 games. Stanton has played RF at times but is still nursing a slightly pulled hammy, and Neil Walker also played a handful of games in right, but his defensive deficiencies were glaring, proving that although he is a good glove on the infield, he was out of place in the outfield. Simply stated, Andrew McCutchen will be the everyday RF until Judge returns.
The Yankees know they are not getting the same player who won the 2013 NL MVP with the Pirates, but he did hit .255 BA/.357 On-Base% with 15 HR, 55 RBI, for SF, which is a big upgrade over the recent Yankee RF stats.
Getting back to my criticism of the timing of the deal .. the Yanks should have traded for McCutchen or another right fielder a month ago. Barring an epic collapse by the Red Sox who lead the Bombers by 8 1/2 games, ‘Cutch won’t lead the Yankees to an AL East title. But having said that, the 5 time All Star is a perfect fit to help as a starter and/or off the bench in October.
McCutchen will be inserted in RF and at the same time Gary Sanchez will be back behind the plate after his stint on the DL. Didi should be back in the line-up soon enough at SS. Which leads to an interesting point .. imo, with all the ups and downs, and additions and subtractions, the Yankee postseason success with boil down to 2 players. Severino & Judge. If they are healthy and performing to their 2017 dominant levels, the Yankees will be a very tough-out in the playoffs. Without both of them it will be extremely difficult to get as far as they did last year.
MUCH ADO ABOUT ANDREW
Now let’s get to the really important analysis .. what will John Sterling’s HR call be ??
I will give it more thought but ..off the top of my head :
IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS GONE
“MUCH ADO ABOUT ANDREW
BECAUSE
CUTCH IS CLUTCH .. THANK YOU VERY MUCH”
As always,
Go NYY!!
