In recent years, the Yankees have always been a team some home-grown talent. A look at the current roster can confirm that - Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams were all brought up through the organization's minor league system. But one has to wonder, is that the end of it? Will there be more in the coming years? Doesn't look like it. The Times sees a team with a shallow talent pool in the minors, left thin by trades and free agent signings. The Times reports that Baseball America's Top 100 only had one Yankee, Dioner Navarro, on it and he's in AA. Transactions of note:
- Javier Vazquez for Juan Rivera and Nick Johnson
- Alex Rodriguez for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias (top SS prospect)
- Chuck Knoblauch for Eric Milton and Cristian Guzman
- David Justice for Zach Day
- Mark Prior drafted but went to school
- Drew Henson left for football
While Gothamist isn't saying that all these deals were busts, it certainly is troubling. What are the Yankees to do this year when they need that big trade to push them into the playoffs? Certainly, they can't trade away their prospects because they have none. We're sure that Brian Cashman and George Steinbrenner will think of something before the July 31st trading deadline because they really need a consistent 5th starter. Right now, their hopes pin on their current crop of prospects and the June 7th draft where the Yankees hope to increase their system wide depth.
