/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50259659/usa-today-9149207.0.jpg)
Yesterday was supposed to be a nice, relaxing Sunday. I planned on waking up at a leisurely time, relaxing for most of the day, and was going to maybe watch a movie or catch up on some shows. Brian Cashman had other ideas. I, along with most other Yankee fans, woke up to find out Andrew Miller had been traded to the Cleveland Indians and the Yankees had unofficially declared themselves as "sellers" and things were very different in Yankeeland.
Today @yankees acquire OF Clint Frazier, LHP Justus Sheffield and RHPs Ben Heller and J.P. Feyereisen from Cleveland for LHP Andrew Miller.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) July 31, 2016
While it is upsetting to see a player with Miller's talent and character leave the Yankees, this was a trade the Yankees needed to make and they're better for it. Unfortunately, it still is upsetting as he was the ultimate team player. When the Yankees brought Aroldis Chapman in from the Reds, Miller graciously stepped aside and let Chapman be the closer with no hesitations. When Chapman left, Miller seamlessly slid back into the closer's role that he deserved. Now that Miller's gone, just as I did with the Chapman trades, it makes sense to turn to the media and see if they can help us understand the trade better.
Girardi: "I don't ever wave a white flag. This organization doesn't wave white flags."
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) July 31, 2016
While it's pretty much evident that the Yankees are selling their pieces, they still aren't "giving up" on the season. Granted, as the manager, Joe Girardi especially can't come out and say they've given up as his job is still to go out there and try and win games. However, though the Yankees got rid of their best reliever in Miller, they did try and "make up" for the loss by bringing in a familiar face.
Today the @Yankees announced they have acquired RH reliever Tyler Clippard from Arizona in exchange for minor league RHP Vicente Campos.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) July 31, 2016
Funnily enough, when the Miller trade first happened, I imagined Dellin Betances would be excited just because he'd slide in as the closer and start racking up those saves. And relievers who earn saves tend to make a lot more money than those who don't. Then the Yankees made this Clipper move, which made me believe they really don't want to pay Betances. Fortunately, the Yankees seemingly won't be cheap in that respect.
#Yankees plan is for Clippard to work 7th inning, hope Warren, young arms Severino/Green/eventually Mitchell can set up Betances
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2016
At least Betances, who has fairly earned the opportunity to close, will finally get his chance. Hopefully the Yankees will give him an entrance video as cool as the one they had for Miller. Still though, even though the Yankees had a plethora of closers and should still be fine for the ninth inning, they're sure to miss Miller's reliability.
In a year-and-a-half with the Yankees, Andrew Miller appeared in 104 games. Wowzers.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) July 31, 2016
That's out of ~266 games the team has played since last year, includes time that he spent on the disabled list last year, and the fact that he pitched with a broken wrist in his non-pitching arm this year. What a champ.
It is just really upsetting that Miller, who really wanted to be a Yankee and even took a pay cut to sign with them as a free agent, came to the team at a poor time. Unfortunately the Yankees are unlikely to be good during the time Miller was under contract, so his greatest value to the team was to be traded and bring in a haul for the future.
That @Yankees system is very, very deep. https://t.co/zPfBNI4BuM
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 31, 2016
Yankees now have one of the best farm systems in game. Frazier, Torres, Mateo, Sanchez, Judge, Sheffield, Rutherford, Kaprielian and more.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2016
One exec who has seen a lot of Clint Frazier calls him an "all star type 5 tool guy that can flat out play." Yankees will take that!
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2016
Miller is sure to be missed, but wow that is an exciting list of players in the Yankees organization. After hearing for years how the farm is depleted, it's crazy to see how Cashman quickly built the system up. #FireCashman though, of course.
For the first time in a generation, the Yankees are valuing the future over the present. https://t.co/ZIAJrMEHh9 pic.twitter.com/QVigQVApbK
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) July 31, 2016
If it can produce even half of what the late 90's Yankees did, I'd be a very satisfied customer. Still, if Cashman seems set on building his "uber-team" the moves can't end with Chapman and Miller.
Cashman: "Stay tuned. A lot more things could happen." Said the Yankees could make additions/subtractions. Clearly, looking to deal more.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 31, 2016
I'm really curious to see what else Cashman has up his sleeve. I see Carlos Beltran, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, Brett Gardner, and Nathan Eovaldi as potential targets to go before today's 4pm trade deadline.
#Yankees are deadline sellers for first time in 27 years, and many of their most serious fans support the decision. Historic week in @MLB.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2016
The Cubs are World Series favorites and the Yankees are selling. 2016 is something of a year. At least the overall consensus is that the Yankees did very well for themselves with these trades so far. Here's hoping things pan out with the players who are seemingly excited to join their new team!
Thank you @Yankees for this amazing opportunity! I can't wait to chase my dream in pin stripes! #Yankees
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) July 31, 2016
Welcome to New York, Frazier! It seems Ben "Benny with the good hair" Gamel might have some competition for "best hair in the system."
By the way, Clint Frazier is going to be a folk hero in New York from
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2016
Day 1. Look at the hair on this guy. pic.twitter.com/3TGucrk6lP
#FLOW. Unfortunately, though, the Yankees do have strict grooming rules and policies.
time for a haircut! hahaha
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) July 31, 2016
Maybe Gamel's spot is safe for now.
What's up @Yankees!! Excited to continue my career with such a great and historic organization! Thank you for this great opportunity! #Yanks
— Justus Sheffield (@Topsheff42) July 31, 2016
On to my next adventure... Unbelievably excited to continue my baseball journey with the @Yankees I already feel so welcomed and supported
— Ben Heller (@BenHeller21) July 31, 2016
Excited to continue my journey with the @Yankees! What an opportunity it is to play for such an iconic baseball franchise! #GoYanks
— Jonathon Feyereisen (@jpfeyer20) July 31, 2016
In case you haven't heard, I've dubbed him "Fire Island"
Frazier and Heller will go to AAA Scranton, Feyereisen to AA Trenton and Sheffield to A Tampa.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 31, 2016
Looks like all the affiliates are getting their own shiny new toy. The prospects in the Miller trade aren't the only players excited to be joining the Yankees organization.
Just want to say thank you to the @Dbacks organization and the fans. Looking forward to heading back to where it all started! @Yankees
— Tyler Clippard (@TylerClippard) July 31, 2016
It's a homecoming for Clippard, welcome back! Unfortunately, it's not all fun and excitement though.
Betances on Miller trade: "I'm still trying to get over the fact we traded the best of the best."
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) July 31, 2016
Don't worry, Dellin. We're all trying to get over this as well. At least Miller, as always, looks to have handled this with grace and dignity.
I will fondly remember my time as a Yankee. The fans, staff and teammates will never be forgotten. A special experience I am grateful for.
— Andrew Miller (@a_miller48) July 31, 2016
Though it's not really surprising. Instead of sounding bitter about being traded from the team he wanted to be with, he just took a second out to thank everyone for his experience here. Class act.
We'll miss you, Miller. One last time:
/pours one out.