Bader is a great defensive center fielder. But, he's also currently on the IL. And the Yankees need starting pitchers...huh?
Ethan's Quick Thoughts:
Harrison Bader is a great center fielder...but he's hurt. Why is Cashman trading a legitimate asset for another injured player? (Flashbacks to Ben Rortvedt)
I respect that the Yankees are "going for it" but this is such a strange move to understand. The Yankees already have enough outfielders. Or do they?
This move firmly pushes Aaron Hicks into the 4th OF role going forward (once Giancarlo Stanton returns from injury). This also moves Judge back into the right-field role and will put Stanton in a platoon-role with Hicks for left field.
What does this do for the Yankees rotation? Who is in it going into the playoffs?
Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Frankie Montas, Jameson Taillon, ???
I guess they're going to trust that Domingo German is ready to start pitching like he was again?
Maybe they're ready for Luis Severino to come back strong from his IL stint?
Maybe Clarke Schmidt is going to be pushed into a starting role?
They also traded away Waldichuk (for Montas) so their top-starting pitching prospect in Triple-A is now also gone.
Maybe they have another JP Sears-like player who is ready to break out?
