The New York Yankees have been busy mining talent from the Colorado Rockies, a team that struggled with a 43-119 record last season. It's an intriguing strategy for a franchise with championship ambitions, but let's dive into the Yankees' recent moves and what they might mean.
Last year, the Yankees made waves by acquiring Ryan McMahon and Jake Bird from Colorado. Initially, the deals seemed logical, but as time passed, questions arose. Jake Bird's performance didn't quite match the Yankees' hopes, and Ryan McMahon's role is looking more like a platoon fit than an everyday starter.
Undeterred, the Yankees dipped back into the Rockies' roster during the offseason, sending first base prospect TJ Rumfield to Colorado in exchange for 23-year-old reliever Angel Chivilli, who carries a career 6.18 ERA. On paper, it seemed like an even swap of spare parts.
Chivilli's potential is there, but he doesn't immediately solve any of the Yankees' bullpen uncertainties. Meanwhile, Rumfield, a left-handed first baseman turning 26 in May, was blocked from the Yankees' roster by players like Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt.
Interestingly, Rumfield is now making a name for himself in Colorado's spring training. He's showcased impressive power, hitting three homers and boasting a .364/.500/1.182 slash line over just 14 plate appearances. Known more for his contact hitting, Rumfield's newfound pop is turning heads.
While it's important not to get carried away with spring training stats, Rumfield's performance gives him a shot at winning the first base job in Colorado-a chance he wouldn't have had in New York.
The real question for the Yankees is whether they'll regret parting with these mid-level prospects for veterans who haven't quite delivered. Last summer, they traded Griffin Herring, Ben Shields, Roc Riggio, and Josh Grosz for McMahon and Bird. Herring impressed with a 1.89 ERA over 119 1/3 innings, Riggio showed power and speed with a .263/.363/.517 line, while Shields posted a solid 2.78 ERA.
Now, with Rumfield's spring success, it seems the Yankees might have underestimated the value of their prospects. While none are guaranteed stars, they could have been part of a larger deal for a more impactful return. As the Yankees continue to assess their roster, these trades might prompt some second thoughts about their strategy.