Cashman has Hit Big with Recent Off-season Trades

The Yankees great start to the season can be attributed to many things, including the emergence of homegrown players like Aaron Judge, Jordan Montgomery, Luis Severino, and Gary Sanchez. However, there are three players who Brian Cashman acquired via trade in recent off-seasons that have been just as important. I am talking about Didi Gregorius, Starlin Castro, and Aaron Hicks. All three have been big contributors to the Bombers lineup this season. The beauty of all three trades is two-fold; the Yankees brought in very productive players in their prime years while giving up next to nothing to them. Let's break down all three trades.

Trade 1: Didi Gregorius acquired in a 3 team deal with Arizona and Detroit. (12/5/14)

After the retirement of Derek Jeter the Yankees were in need of a shortstop to take over for the legend. No matter who they brought in for the 2015 season he would be under immense pressure. However, over the two plus seasons that Didi has donned pinstripes he hasn't disappointed. He got off to a bit of a slow start in 2015 but was able to finish with a respectable .265 average, 9 HR, 56 RBI, and 57 R in 155 games. When you compare this to Jeter's last season in 2014, it was a slight improvement for the Yankees. Jeter only batted .256 with 4 HR, 50 RBI, and 47 R in 145 games. In addition, Gregorius provided the Yanks with better defense than the aging Jeter. 

However, last season turned out to be Didi's coming out party. In 2016, Gregorius was able to increase both his average and power production. In 154 games, he batted .276 with 20 HR, 70 RBI, and 68 R all while continuing to provide stellar defense. The 2017 season got off to a late start for Gregorius after he injured his shoulder playing for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. However, after missing out on the first month of the regular season, Didi has picked up where he left off in 2016. So far in 37 games played Gregorius is batting .322 with 5 HR, 21 RBI and 21 R. If he had enough plate appearances to qualify Didi would rank 15th in Major League Baseball in batting average. At 27 years old it looks like he should provide this kind of production for the team for years to come. 

What did the Yankees have to give up for a player of Didi's quality? The answer is not much. Right handed pitcher Shane Greene went to Detroit in the deal. Greene hasn't proven to be more than a reliever for the Tigers. Greene made 16 starts for the Tigers in his first season to the tune of a 4-8 record with a 6.88 ERA. Last season he was shifted to the bullpen and made a couple of spot starts, finishing the season with a 5.82 ERA. This season he has been better with a 1.57 ERA in 30 relief appearances. However, even with Greene's improvement this season, this trade has been a huge win for the Yanks. 

Trade 2: Yankees acquire Aaron Hicks from Twins for J.R. Murphy (11/11/15)

The Yankees acquired outfielder Aaron Hicks from the Twins prior to the 2016 season. Hicks was a player with obvious physical tools and talent who hadn't quite been able to produce at the major league level in three seasons with Minnesota. Hicks played less than 256 games in those three seasons and only batted .225. However, Cashman saw him as a potential buy low candidate with a high ceiling. Unfortunately, for Hicks and the Yanks he didn't produce for the team in 2016, batting only .217 with 8 HR, 31 RBI and 31 R in 123 games. For all concerned the season was a failure for Hicks.

Fast forward to 2017 and things have changed dramatically for Hicks. Hicks started the season as the Yankees fourth outfielder after losing out on the right field job to Aaron Judge. However, Hicks didn't have to wait long to make an impact. Thanks to Girardi rotating outfielders and then a long term DL stint for Jacoby Ellsbury, Hicks has been able to receive consistent at bats which he has made the most of. Hicks has been a revelation since he started playing everyday. Hicks is currently batting .318 (17th in MLB) with 10 HR, 34 RBI, and 34 R. All of those totals have eclipsed last season's totals in just 48 games. In addition to his production at the plate, Hicks has stolen seven bases, and played very good defense in center field. His 2.5 WAR is tied for 7th in the majors. Even when Ellsbury returns from injury Hicks won't be leaving the lineup.

What did the Yankees give up for Hicks? J.R Murphy was a backup catcher for New York in 2015 and served the same role for Minnesota in 2016 batting under .200. This season Murphy is playing in AAA. Hicks success has only been over a small sample size but even so this trade looks like another big win for the Yanks.

Trade 3: Starlin Castro acquired from the Cubs for Adam Warren and Player to be Named Later (12/8/15)

Following the 2015 season the Yankees were in the market for a double play partner for Gregorius. Cashman found a willing trade partner in the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were willing to part ways with Starlin Castro, a former 3 time All-Star who had played 6 seasons with team despite being just 25 years old. Castro came to New York to complete the keystone combination with Didi and had a solid season. In 2106, Castro batted .270 with 21 HR, 70 RBI, and 63 RBI; very respectable power numbers for a second baseman.

In 2017, Castro has become an even bigger contributor and a big part of the Yankees success. So far, in 58 games, Castro has hit the cover off the ball. He is currently hitting .319 which is 16th in all of baseball. In addition he has increased his run production with 10 HR, 34 RBI, and 42 R which puts him on pace to surpass all of last season's totals. Among Major League second basemen Castro ranks 1st in runs, T-2nd in home runs, 3rd in RBI, and T-2nd in average. Based on his career numbers it's probably unlikely that he keeps up this torrid pace based on his career numbers. However, even if he regresses a bit he'll still be a very productive player for the team. With Castro being 27 years old like Gregorius, it looks like this middle infield combo will provide plenty of production for quite a few years.

What did Cashman give up for a player who has been one of the best offensive second basemen  in the game in 2017? The answer, similar to the Gregorius and Hicks trades is not much. Adam Warren lasted only half a season in Chicago until he found his way back to New York in the Aroldis Chapman trade. Warren continues to be an important member of the Yankees pen since his re-acquisition so it's almost as if the team never got rid of him. The player to be named later turned out to be back up infielder Brendan Ryan who never played a game for Chicago and currently is playing AAA in the Detroit system. This trade may be an even bigger win than the Gregorius trade based on the fact that the Yankees were able to get Warren back again.  

Conclusion

With the breakout of Hicks so far this season all three of these deals look like strokes of genius from Brian Cashman. In all three trades the Yankees acquired players who are currently 27 years old and in the prime of their careers and are providing the team with outstanding production in 2017. These players along with the current group of homegrown players emerging for the Yankees could provide the team with a very solid foundation for years to come. Couple that with the Yankees spending power when big names start to hit the market and we could have the potential for the next Yankees dynasty.