This list is comprehensive. It is not complete. If I missed someone significant, I will live. So will you.

The Luis Garcia Jr. deal:

RHP Jack Cebert (#14 in Nationals’ system) –Cebert reached Triple-A Rochester, where he struggled to a 7.02 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP across 16.2 innings. Statcast featured a 6-pitch mix, including a 4-seam fastball that averaged 93.1 MPH.

RHP Ben Grable (#20) – Grable was a force in the bullpen this season, posting a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 High-A innings before compiling a 2.50 ERA in 36 Double-A innings. That was enough to earn him a late-season promotion to Triple-A Rochester, where he struggled in a small 6.2-inning sample (13 hits, 6 R, 6 BB, 6 K)

RHP Jake Bird – Bird can pitch to a 0.00 ERA for the rest of his career, and Yankees fans wouldn’t feel regret. That said, he pitched well in eight games for the Nationals, posting a 3.24 ERA and 10/2 K/BB over 8.1 innings.

RHP Yovanny Cruz – Yankees fans pined for Cruz all year, given his 100 MPH+ fastball and developing split-finger. He allowed only one walk in 5.1 innings for the Bombers, but his numbers were less than stellar for the Nationals (10.2 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 8 BB, 9 K).

Bottom Line:  With Ben Rice on the roster, Garcia Jr. wasn’t a “perfect” deadline fit. However, he did his job until a late-season slump dropped his Yankees’ wRC+ to 104. It was 146 on September 11th. If you are good at math, that’s an unsightly -32 in his final 40 plate appearances. I will take the larger sample results.

The Heliot Ramos deal:

2B Kaeden Kent (#20 in Giants’ system) – Kent was only able to participate in ten games after the deal, going 12-for-45 with a pair of home runs and 4 stolen bases.

LHP Henry Lalane (#11) – Dominant for most of the season, Lalane declined after the trade. He pitched to a 4.57 ERA and 16/8 K/BB over 21.2 innings for the Giants’ High-A club in Eugene. It’s a small sample, but his strikeout rate (16.8%) is a red flag.

Bottom Line: Ramos started to click late in the season. Lalane’s career has been up-and-down while Kent is a “safe” prospect. If Lalane ever reaches his potential, the Giants will be ecstatic. Can he stay healthy enough to reach those heights?

The Omar Alfonzo/Luis Cruz deal:

The Yankees rarely trade an established player for prospects. In this case, they traded Camilo Doval to the Pirates.  Alfonzo’s 26-game sample for Somerset wasn’t good (.120/.193/.173), but a family tragedy made some impact. He has legitimate power potential, but the rest of his offense needs work. Cruz is a long-range lottery ticket who hasn’t escaped the DSL.

Bottom Line: Did I mention that Doval was designated for assignment?  To their credit, the Pirates tried to improve their playoff chances at the deadline (and they played well, just not well enough).

The Wilmy Sanchez deal:

This was a minor trade with the Nationals, as the Yankees sent former first-round pick (Braves) Braden Shewmake to the infield-needing Astros. Shewmake hit 3 home runs in 30 games for the Astros before being traded to the Brewers for cash. After the Brewers designated him for assignment, he became a free agent and re-signed with the Astros. He ended the season in the Astros’ minor league system.

As for Sanchez, he pitched well in Hudson Valley, including a sparkling 37.2% K. His control needs work.

Bottom Line: The Yankees took an organizational depth piece and traded him for an interesting arm. No complaints.

The Sean Paul Linan deal:

Jorbit Vivas was out of options, so the Yankees shipped him to the Nationals for Linan. Vivas’ ability to make contact (14.6% K) and draw walks (11.3%) is impressive. However, he hit only .238/.331/.322. As you may suspect, he doesn’t make quality contact. His defense was fine (especially at second base), making him a good MLB bench option. Linan is a changeup specialist who didn’t pitch well in Hudson Valley (5.62 ERA/5.08 FIP)

Bottom Line: Not a trade to get worked up over. Vivas’ value to the Yankees was as a shuttle player, but being out of options ended that role.

The Max Schuemann deal:

I try to be comprehensive with this post. The Yankees acquired the shuttle utility player for RHP Luis Burgos, who pitched well last year in his second taste of the DSL.  Promoted to Single-A Stockton in 2026, Burgos pitched to an unsightly 10.17 ERA over 46 innings.

Bottom Line: This trade won’t be remembered. Schuemann had some value off the Yankees’ bench.

The Angel Chivilli deal:

1B TJ Rumfield – Rumfield was a solid minor leaguer for the Yankees. Acquired from the Phillies for Donny Sands and Nick Nelson, he spent four seasons in the Yankees’ system, including a .288/.372/.453 line in 252 Triple-A games.  The Yankees didn’t have a position for him, so they shipped him to Colorado. He was flirting with .300 most of the season, and ended up at .300/.390/.453 (124 wRC+). The Rockies “protected” the .300 average by not playing him on the final day of the season. He is one of only seven qualified MLB players who hit .300+.  The NL Rookie of the Year field is crowded, but since they allow writers to vote for five players (it used to be three), Rumfield should get a few votes.

Bottom Line:  The Rockies are ecstatic.  The Yankees acquired a good arm, but Chivilli couldn’t stay healthy.

The Ryan Weathers deal:

IF Juan Matheus (#23 in Marlins’ system) – Matheus is a prospect who compiled impressive numbers in the lower minors. In 42 High-A games this season, he continued that, hitting .261/.352/.471 (113 wRC+). The Marlins tested him in Double-A, and he passed (.279/.338/.420 (101 wRC+) with 16 stolen bases).

IF Dylan Jasso – Jasso was a productive member of the Somerset roster in 2025, hitting .257/.326/.400 with 76 RBI. That may not stand out, but the Eastern League was pitching-friendly last year, so his wRC+ was 115.  He played only 69 games this season, hitting .264/.356/.396 (102 wRC+) with only four home runs. He played first base and third base.

OF Dillon Lewis (#11) – With Weathers’ injury history, many fans were unhappy about trading Lewis. The talented outfielder reduced his strikeout rate to 20.8% in Hudson Valley last season (28.2% for Tampa), and his power/speed combination was tantalizing. The Marlins, rightfully, promoted him to Double-A in 2026, and the strikeout issues returned (30.2%), though he still showed pop (18 home runs) and speed (20 stolen bases).

OF Brendan Jones (#28) – Jones had a special 2025 season, with 51 stolen bases and a 126 wRC+. He followed that up by stealing 48 bases in 2026, showing solid plate discipline (13.2% BB). Jones hasn’t hit for average in the minors, so his best role may be as a speedy 4th outfielder who gets on base. However, his profile reminds me of a beloved overachieving Yankee – Brett Gardner.

Bottom Line:  Weathers had his ups and downs, but started to dominate after changing his pitch mix. He finished the season with a 3.60 ERA (3.62 FIP) over a career-high 137.1 innings. He also set a personal best in K% (25.2) while maintaining a solid walk rate (6.7%). This trade screams “fair.”  The Marlins deepened their farm system, while the Yankees added a quality arm.

The Jose Caballero deal:

OF Everson Pereira – The Rays have taught us to be nervous whenever they acquire a prospect. Pereira wasn’t good in 23 games for the Rays in 2025, so they flipped him to the White Sox in a deal that included former Yankees farmhand Yoendrys Gomez. For the White Sox, he hit .225/.284/.438 (99 wRC+) in 27 games. That is decent (especially the power), but it wasn’t enough to stick with the improving White Sox, who designated him for assignment. He went 5-for-18 with a home run for the Cardinals after they claimed him.

OF Marshall Toole – The “player to be named later” in the Caballero trade, Toole feels like a Rays’ prospect. He played in only 50 games, but stole 22 bases after stealing 44 in the Yankees’ organization in 2025. Now for the bad news:  While his .366 OBP is solid, he struck out an incredible 34.6% of the time. A team will accept a high K% from a power hitter, but Toole has no power.

Bottom Line:  Caballero started hot, especially defensively, in 2026 but settled into what he usually is:  A versatile speedster. While he added a touch of home run power, his SLG was only .365. This is a win for the Yankees, though I can see Pereira becoming an Abraham Almonte type (good enough to keep earning MLB playing time, but only in a limited capacity).

The David Bednar deal:

C/1B Rafael Flores – Flores went insane late in the season. In his first 12 games, he hit .200/.355/.360 with one home run. In his last 35 games, he hit ten home runs, finishing his campaign at .264/.331/.527 over 163 plate appearances. His defense behind the plate was mediocre (at best), though his framing wasn’t terrible. He was a good bat in the Yankees’ system, so it isn’t shocking he started hitting well. Can he sustain it?

C Edgleen Perez (#10 in the Pirates’ system) – Perez struggled in 2025 in Tampa, but bounced back nicely in 2026 (.296/.385/.352; 102 wRC+) in 77 games. Perez hasn’t flashed power, but he carries solid BB% and K% rates. He’s also up to 180 games in A-ball, so it’s time for him to show what he can do in High-A.

OF Brian Sanchez – Sanchez was flipped to the Marlins at the deadline (the Pirates went all-in with bullpen additions). In 106 High-A games, he hit .256/.343/.448 (100 wRC+) with 13 home runs. The Yankees acquired him in the Jake Bauers trade (along with Jace Avina).

Bottom Line: The Yankees depleted whatever catching depth they had, and Flores is the first to show a pulse. Bednar has been a superb closer for the Yankees, so no complaints. The biggest question is whether the Yankees will re-sign him.

The Amed Rosario deal:

RHP Clayton Beeter – Beeter received an extended look with the Nationals, pitching in 50 games. It didn’t go well, however, as he finished 2026 with a 4.50 ERA (5.44 FIP), 22.5% K, and 14.8% BB. After being acquired, he posted a strong 38.1% K, but couldn’t sustain it this season.

OF Browm Martinez – Martinez did well in his first taste of the Complex League this season, hitting .271/.431/.430 (125 wRC+) over 39 games.

Bottom Line: Martinez is likely nothing to worry about. The Nationals’ disappointment is Beeter, who regressed. As for the Yankees, Rosario’s 88 wRC+ wasn’t expected. He ended the campaign with a negative fWAR (-0.2). Meh.

The Ryan McMahon deal:

RHP Josh Grosz – Grosz didn’t last long in the Rockies’ organization, as they flipped him to the Diamondbacks in January. The Rockies acquired Jake McCarthy in that deal, and he ended 2026 with a .291/.334/.475 triple slash with 15 home runs and 32 stolen bases. Grosz appeared in 25 games (8 starts) in Double-A, compiling a 5.31 ERA (5.56 FIP) over 57.2 innings. One positive was his 32.3% K.

LHP Griffin Herring – Herring was a beast before and after the trade. In 23 starts, he posted a 1.89 ERA (2.74 FIP) and 31.4% K. For the Rockies, the K% was an insane 40.5% over 30 innings. When Pipeline released its 2026 midseason update, Herring wasn’t there. Why? In a season derailed by injury, he posted an unsightly 7.18 ERA (6.20 FIP) over 31.1 innings. That included an 8.87 ERA in 23.1 Double-A innings.

Bottom Line: The Yankees needed stability, and McMahon provides that much (though his bat declined from an already low standard). They dealt two talented prospects to get him, but neither has shown signs of development.

The Jake Bird deal:

IF Roc Riggio (#12 in Rockies system) – Riggio earned his way to Triple-A, where he hit .297/.359/.527 (108 wRC+, which shows how insane the offensive environment is) over 23 games. In Double-A, he hit .256/.371/.492 (126 wRC+) over 380 plate appearances. He only played second base in Double-A, but mixed in some 3B after his promotion.

LHP Ben Shields – Shields didn’t pitch in 2026.

Bottom Line: The Rockies are doing cartwheels and backflips. Bird was a disaster with the Yankees, while Riggio looks like an MLB option in 2027. Shields was an overachieving type before his injury and can still carve out an MLB career once healthy.

The Camilo Doval deal:

UTIL Jesus Rodriguez – Rodriguez has ascended to MLB, hitting .235/.316/.412 (105 OPS+) over 58 plate appearances. Known for his contact ability, he struck out only 13.8% of the time. The Giants gave him time at second base (3 innings), left field (14), right field (14), and catcher (95). Baserunners were a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts. He ended the season on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury.

UTIL Parks Harber (#13 in the Giants’ system) – Harber was smoking the ball at the time of the deal, and it continued with the Giants. In 66 Double-A games this season, he hit .284/.369/.510 (131 wRC+) with 12 home runs. That earned him a promotion to Triple-A, where he hit .256/.348/.391 (98 wRC+) with 6 home runs. The Giants have given him playing time at third base and all three outfield positions. The Yankees gave him time at first base in 2025.

RHP Trystan Vrieling – Vrieling had a rough campaign, posting a 5.01 ERA over 124 innings. He walked too many hitters (76).

LHP Carlos De La Rosa – In his first taste of the Arizona Complex League, De La Rosa posted a 6.55 ERA over 44 innings. He turns 19 in November.

Bottom Line: Doval has a million-dollar arm, but his lack of control and command is a devastating combination. He is back in the Giants’ organization after the Pirates designated him for assignment.  The Giants win this trade.  Vrieling has stalled after the Yankees aggressively placed him in Double-A in his first professional campaign. However, Rodriguez has tasted MLB while Harber is in line to do the same in 2027.

The Austin Slater deal:

RHP Gage Ziehl (#17 in the Red Sox system) – Ziehl was flipped to the Red Sox in a deal for Jordan Hicks, who has taken on an important role in the White Sox bullpen. As for Ziehl, he had a solid season. He posted a 4.28 ERA over 122 innings between Portland and Worcester. His BB% (4.8%) was elite, and he generated a 52.8% GB.

Bottom Line: Slater was a non-factor for the Yankees. Regardless of what happens wth Ziehl, he is destined to toss six scoreless innings in a random game against the Yankees sometime in the next two years.

The Wilberson De Pena deal:

IF Oswald Peraza – When Peraza visited Yankee Stadium in April, he hit two home runs in three starts, increasing his early-season triple slash to .269/.345/.558.  While he was productive in May (.273/.325/.455), his season eventually crashed and burned. In 39 second-half games, he hit .183/.280/.195 with one extra-base hit (a double). The final result was a .226/.282/.334 (77 OPS+; 74 wRC+) campaign in 370 plate appearances. Defensively, DRS liked him better than OAA, though he was positive at shortstop using both metrics.

Bottom Line:  While I leave room for hitters to “find it,” nothing shows Peraza as an MLB-quality hitter. In 894 plate appearances, he has an ugly .204/.269/.304 triple slash. As for De Pena, while he struggled after his promotion to Tampa (.183/.272/.366 in 21 games), he won the FCL Triple Crown with a crazy .358/.411/.677 line with 16 home runs and 67 RBI in 56 games.  This was a good trade.

The Devin Williams deal:

3B Caleb Durbin – The Brewers sent Durbin to the Red Sox, where he hit .248/.322/.378 (100 wRC+). This was in line with his 2025 season, where he compiled a .256/.334/.387 (105 wRC+) line. Defensively, he showed improvement at third base. In 2025, posted a +5 DRS and +2 OAA over 1,060.2 innings. In 2026, he improved that to +13 DRS and +6 OAA over 1,302 innings.

Bottom Line:  Game 3 against the Mets has seemingly broken Williams, who has posted a 4.65 ERA in 111 games (102.2 innings) over the past two seasons. His strikeout rate dipped to 28.3% in 2026. While his FIP in both seasons is solid, the results aren’t there in a results-oriented business.  As for Durbin, he was once thought of as a utility-type player with speed. Now, he’s an above-average defensive third baseman who hits enough to be a regular. His DRS this season allowed him to post a solid 4.4 bWAR (his fWAR was 3.1). If the Yankees saw this in his future, they would have put him at third base. After all, Ryan McMahon had a 0 OAA and -3 DRS in 2026.  It’s still hard to fault the Yankees. The reliever they traded for was elite. He fell apart after that trade.

The Enyel De Los Santos deal:

OF Brandon Lockridge – While Lockridge has no power to speak of (one home run and a .316 SLG in 118 games), he has settled in as a backup/shuttle outfielder. In 39 games for the Brewers this season, he hit .277/.348/.327 while going 6-for-7 stealing bases (improving to 18-for-20 in his career).

Bottom Line:  De Los Santos has the type of arm that will always receive chances. He posted a 4.79 ERA in 66 games for the Astros in 2026 and has pitched 50+ games in five straight seasons for six different teams.  Lockridge is what he is. His career is going as expected.

The Mark Leiter Jr. deal:

RHP Jack Neely – Many Yankees fans weren’t happy trading Neely (including me). After acquiring him in this 2024 deal, the Cubs used him in six games. He allowed 6 runs in 6 innings. That is the extent of his MLB experience, and he didn’t pitch in 2026 (injury).

IF Ben Cowles – Cowles’s bat hasn’t developed. Now 26, he appeared in 112 games for Triple-A Iowa, hitting .241/.313/.376 in a juiced-up environment.

Bottom Line:  Leiter Jr. blamed his usage patterns for his ineffectiveness with the Yankees. The less-stressful atmosphere in Sacramento didn’t help (4.28 ERA), and he finished the season on the injured list. The trade wasn’t great for the Yankees, but the Cubs didn’t hit the jackpot either.

The Jazz Chisholm Jr. deal:

C/DH/Something Agustin Ramirez – A miserable start landed Ramirez in the minors, though he was promoted in August. The time in the minors didn’t help much, and he finished with a .235/.318/.354 triple slash over 255 plate appearances. He did get his BB% into double digits (10.2%), but it’s hard to sugarcoat his performance. Despite hitting 21 home runs in 2025, his terrible defense led to a negative bWAR and 0.0 fWAR, the same number he posted in 2026. He doesn’t hit enough to be a DH, but it’s hard to keep him behind the plate. That’s not a good combination.

2B/SS Jared Serna – Serna was a good hitter in the Yankees’ system. That hasn’t translated in Miami. However, the Marlins gave him a taste of big-league action this season. He appeared in 17 games (only 32 plate appearances) and went 6-for-28 with 3 doubles.

iF Abrahan Ramirez – The lottery ticket dominated the rookie leagues as a Yankee.  He struggled to adjust in his first taste of High-A this season (.231/.315/.322 in 43 games). At 21, there’s time for development.

Bottom Line: Since being acquired, Jazz’s 10.0 fWAR is the third best in baseball among players whose primary position is second base, trailing Brice Turang (10.8) and Otto Lopez (10.2). Lopez shouldn’t really qualify, as he hasn’t been a full-time second baseman since 2024, and he gains a fWAR advantage by playing shortstop nowadays. People are conflicted over him, but he is one of the top second basemen in baseball. The Yankees won this trade.

The JT Brubaker deal:

IF Keiner Delgado – Delgado has steadily worked his way through the Pirates’ organization. In 2026, he appeared in 103 Double-A games and 17 Triple-A games. His offense wasn’t special (.246/.347/.374; 95 wRC+), but he stole 30 bases.  He mostly played SS/2B, with a few innings at third.

Bottom Line: The Yankees took a chance on Brubaker, who was coming off Tommy John surgery. After the Yankees released him, the Giants signed him. In 2026, he posted a solid 3.58 ERA over 60.1 innings, but his walk (10.4%) and strikeout (15.6%) rates were not ideal.  Delgado may have a future as a speedy utility player for an improving Pirates squad.

The Jon Berti deal:

OF John Cruz – I am not overstating it: Some Yankees fans went insane after this trade. In 2023, playing for the Yankees’ FCL squad, Cruz hit .294/.376/.531 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI. Low-A wasn’t kind to him, however (.161/.248/.211 in 95 games), and he spent the 2026 season in the FCL, where he once again was a force (.281/.392/.460). The goal isn’t to spend three years in the FCL after spending one in the DSL.

Bottom Line: I liked this move, as Berti filled a need. However, an early-season injury limited him to 25 games. He hit .273/.342/.318 with a home run. Yankees fans likely remember that he was asked to play a little first base in the ALDS and ALCS before being left off the World Series roster (hip injury). That opened the door for Nestor Cortes Jr.’s addition to the roster, though that was happening regardless of Berti’s status.

The Caleb Ferguson deal:

RHP Christian Zazueta (#5 prospect in Dodgers’ system) – Will this turn into a bonanza for the Dodgers? I would claim it already has. Zazueta, who was in the Dominican Summer League before the trade, has ascended to Double-A with the Dodgers. In Double-A this season, he posted a 3.44 ERA over 55 innings (11 games/10 starts). The incredible part of his profile is the 78/8 K/BB.  Overall, including his time in High-A, he posted a 144/20 K/BB over 103.2 innings.

Bottom Line: Ferguson was supposed to be a main cog in the 2024 bullpen, but he posted a 5.13 ERA in 33.1 innings before being shipped to Houston. Meanwhile, Zazueta is baseball’s 33rd-ranked prospect. No guarantees in life, but if the Dodgers traded Zazueta this winter, he would be worth more than Ferguson. Yikes.

The Victor Gonzalez/Jorbit Vivas deal:

SS Trey Sweeney – When the Yankees made a pair of deals with the Dodgers to improve their bullpen, it wasn’t Zazueta that fans were worried about blossoming. That’s baseball!  Sweeney was flipped to the Tigers, who gave him a long leash in 2025. He “rewarded” them with a .196/.258/.291 line over 326 plate appearances.  He didn’t play in 2026 due to right shoulder surgery.

Bottom Line: Gonzalez was supposed to be the new Wandy Peralta, but it didn’t work out.  His ERA was fine (3.86), but his FIP (5.95) wasn’t. He hasn’t pitched in MLB since. The Angels picked him up after the Yankees released him, but he spent 2026 in the Mexican League.

The Juan Soto deal:

RHP Michael King – King was established, not a prospect, and you know what he has done since the trade. The Yankees desperately wanted to keep him out of this trade for a reason.

RHP Drew Thorpe – Thorpe was fun to watch in 2023, posting a 14-2 record with a 2.52 ERA over 139.1 innings. He never pitched in the Padres’ organization, as they traded him for Dylan Cease. After tossing 44.1 innings for the 2024 White Sox, he missed 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. He made ten minor league starts for the White Sox in 2026, including six in Triple-A. He could be an option for the 2027 rotation.

RHP Jhony Brito – Like King, Brito was traded from the MLB roster. In 2023, in 90.1 innings, he posted a 4.28 ERA for the Yankees. He lost 2025 due to injury, but made five appearances for the Padres in 2026.

RHP Randy Vasquez – The Padres made it clear they wanted MLB talent, or players close to MLB.  Like King and Brito, Vasquez was on the 2023 Yankees’ pitching staff. The Padres are receiving solid production for him. In 2025, he posted a 3.84 ERA (4.85 FIP) over 133.2 innings. This season, he went 10-6 with a 3.90 ERA (4.24 FIP) over 140.2 innings. He doesn’t miss bats and has a below-average groundball rate. He has a high Fastball Run Value and an elite walk rate. So, how does he do it?  With spin. His fastball and curveball spin rates are elite.

Bottom Line:  The Padres also received Kyle Higashioka in this mega-deal.  Soto was an important cog in the Yankees’ 2024 World Series run. While they failed to re-sign him, it’s hard to argue with pulling the trigger on this one. The Padres received a good package of players for their star.

The Alex Verdugo deal:

RHP Richard Fitts – After a rough 45 innings for the 2025 Red Sox (5.00 ERA with 11 home runs allowed), Fitts was sent to the Cardinals for Game 2 loser Sonny Gray. He made only three starts for the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate (Memphis) before a lat injury ended his season. He needed surgery. Ouch.

RHP Greg Weissert – I don’t think the Yankees lament losing Weissert, but he has performed well for the Red Sox (and has been durable). In 197 appearances over the last three years, he owns an impressive 3.06 ERA (3.78 FIP) over 191 innings.

RHP Nicholas Judice – Judice is hanging in there, but the performance isn’t there. He posted a 9.49 ERA in eight Single-A games this season and owns a 9.99 ERA in 24.1 career innings. Yes, he has dealt with injuries.

Bottom Line:  Verdugo was a disaster. The Red Sox won this trade by Weissert’s relief performance alone.

The Frankie Montas deal:

LHP Ken Waldichuk – Waldichuk’s career has been marred by injury after tossing 141 innings for the 2023 Athletics. He has since bounced around to the Braves, Rays, and Nationals organizations. He made five appearances for the 2026 Nationals.

RHP Luis Medina – Has Medina found his role? After missing 2025 to Tommy John surgery, Medina is now a reliever. In 60 games, he owned a 3.08 ERA (3.57 FIP) over 73 innings with impressive 29.3% K and 32.4% whiff rates. The walks are still a problem (12.3%). He throws extremely hard (averaged 97.5 MPH), but his breaking pitch generated the most value. Some parts of his profile are still questionable, but anyone who follows Yankees prospects knows the talent was always there.

LHP JP Sears – Sears is plodding along. He was the main piece in a trade to the Padres (San Diego also picked up some dude named Mason Miller). In eight games (six starts) for the 2026 Padres, he compiled a 4.68 ERA over 32.2 innings.

IF Cooper Bowman – Now 26, the Rays acquired Bowman earlier this season. He appeared in 20 games for Triple-A Durham, going 9-for-61. He was released in late June and hasn’t reappeared.

Bottom Line:  At one point, Waldichuk/Medina/Sears were in the same Athletics’ rotation.  If Waldichuk can ever get healthy, he has a chance. However, the key here is Medina. Sears may last 15 years, bouncing around to 100 organizations across seven continents. But Medina is the potential high-impact guy here.  Montas did nothing for the Yankees, but did scam the Mets out of $34 million.

The Scott Effross deal:

RHP Hayden Wesneski – When the Astros traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, Wesneski was one of three players sent to Houston. Injuries have been a concern, but he pitched well in 11 late-season starts for the Astros (3.25 ERA; 3.53 FIP over 61 innings). Swing-and-miss has been an issue, but he generates an above-average groundball rate.

Bottom Line: Effross was a good idea on paper. He had the team control Brian Cashman craves and was dominating for the Cubs. Injuries derailed him. He spent 2026 in the Mariners and Tigers organizations.

The Andrew Benintendi deal:

This trade almost fell off the list until Beck Way made his debut with the 2026 Royals. Before an injury cut his season short, he posted a 3.86 ERA over 23.1 innings. As for the other two pitchers, RHP Chandler Champlain has moved on to the Nationals, where he did a fine job for their Triple-A squad, and LHP T.J. Sikkema spent some time with the Reds and Red Sox.

Bottom Line:  Good for Way. Benintendi was acquired for his contact ability, but injured himself before the 2022 playoffs. He is on the White Sox’ 2026 postseason roster, going 1-for-3 with a pair of walks in their sweep of the Astros.

The Jose Trevino deal:

LHP Robby Ahlstrom – The Yankees’ 7th-round pick in 2021, Ahlstrom never appeared in the system. Now, he can call himself an MLB pitcher. In 42 games (37 innings) for the 2026 Rangers, he posted a 6.08 ERA (5.18 FIP). Those numbers won’t sustain a Major League career, but maybe it’s a starting point.

Bottom Line:  Trevino was an All-Star and Platinum Glove winner for the 2022 Yankees. His 3.8 fWAR that season is nearly half of his career total (7.8). Traded to the Reds for Fernando Cruz before the 2025 season, he still fields well enough to earn MLB playing time.

The Clay Holmes deal:

Hoy Park and Diego Castillo haven’t been doing much. Park may be out of baseball. Castillo, meanwhile, keeps bouncing around. The 28-year-old spent 2026 with the Rangers’ Triple-A club in Round Rock, hitting .302/.374/.422.

Bottom Line: Holmes, as we all know, was a solid reliever for the Yankees and has since become a good starting pitcher for the Mets and Cubs. This was a massive win for the Yankees.

The Andrew Heaney deal:

RHP Janson Junk – Junk continues to motor along in the Marlins’ rotation.  In 26 games (25 starts) covering 123.2 innings, he posted a 4.22 ERA (4.14 FIP) with a 17% K and 6.3% BB.  Not bad for a guy they signed as a free agent in 2025.  Although he is 30, he still has one pre-arbitration year in 2027.

RHP Elvis Peguero – Peguero pitched for the Angels, Brewers, and White Sox from 2021 to 2025. The Orioles signed him before 2026, but he spent the season on the minor league injured list.

Bottom Line: Heaney didn’t pitch well for the Yankees, but hung on to an MLB career through 2025.

The Anthony Rizzo deal:

OF Kevin Alcantara – I am not sure what to make of Alcantara anymore. He has appeared in 37 games for the Cubs between 2024 and 2026, hitting .239/.280/.304 in 50 plate appearances. He continues to strike out at an unhealthy rate in the minors. His profile screams “right-handed Spencer Jones,” which would still be a good enough outcome. However, it’s not easy to live within those margins.

Bottom Line:  Before his concussion, Rizzo was a solid presence. In 2022, he hit 32 home runs and had a 130 OPS+. Alcantara is doing nothing to make the Yankees miss him.

The Joey Gallo deal:

RHP Glenn Otto – Otto pitched from 2021 to 2023, with his biggest audition in 2022. That year, he posted a 4.64 ERA (5.21 FIP) over 135.2 innings. He hasn’t pitched since 2024.

UTIL Ezequiel Duran – While he is far from patient, Duran increased his BB% to 7.7 this season. In 153 games, he hit .260/.320/.419 (114 OPS+) with 17 home runs and 83 RBI. Additionally, he was elite defensively. He posted +11 OAA at shortstop and +18 overall.  In 182 games between 2024 and 2025, he owned a .587 OPS and 71 OPS+.

UTIL Josh Smith – While Duran ascended, Smith declined. A Silver Slugger winner in 2024 and league-average bat in 2025, Smith posted a .213/.299/.272 line in 45 games with the Rangers in 2026 before being traded to the Blue Jays. With the Jays, he hit .184/.276/.408 with five home runs in 35 games.

UTIL Trevor Hauver – Hauver has 329 games of Triple-A experience, but has yet to make his MLB debut. He is best known for homering in his first five professional games, including two in his debut.

Bottom Line: One year makes a load of difference. Last year in this space, I lauded Smith as “gold” for the Rangers. This year, Duran is the gold.

The Jameson Taillon deal:

RHP Roansy Contreras – Contreras pitched from 2021 to 2025 with the Pirates, Angels, Orioles, and Rockies. Before the 2025 season, six teams claimed him off waivers, including the Yankees.  He was released at the end of that season and spent 2026 in Japan.

RHP Miguel Yajure pitched in Japan in 2024 and 2025. He spent 2026 in the Houston Astros’ organization, but appeared in one game. OF Canaan Smith-Njigba hasn’t played since appearing in four games for Carolina in last year’s Puerto Rican Winter League. Infielder Maikol Escotto was released by the Pirates after 2025 and hasn’t reappeared.

Others:

C Omar Martinez – The Angels signed him as a free agent; he went 1-for-3 in five games for the big club.  Martinez played in the Yankees’ organization from 2018 through 2025.

1B/3B Andres Chaparro – Chaparro played in a career-high 83 games for the Nationals. He rewarded them with a .268/.364/.530 (141 wRC+) campaign while getting time at first and third base (mostly first). Defense isn’t his calling card. To stick in MLB, he will have to keep hitting. While it is true that the Yankees “lost him for nothing,” it’s hard to place blame. He didn’t start producing until he was 27.

UTIL Eric Wagaman – While he is mostly a first baseman, Wagaman has experience at all four corners. After 140 games with the 2025 Marlins, he found himself in the Mets’ organization in 2026. In 52 MLB plate appearances, he went 9-for-47 with a pair of home runs. No matter where his career goes, he is a success story, as a 17th-round pick in the 2017 draft out of Orange Coast College.

UTIL Anthony Seigler – A first-round pick by the Yankees in 2018, Seigler has evolved from a catcher into a utility infielder. He loved his time in Fenway Park this season, hitting .296/.354/.493 in 79 plate appearances. Away from home, he was a pedestrian .203/.304/.316. The Red Sox acquired him in the deal that sent Kyle Harrison to Milwaukee.

UTIL Mickey Gasper – The Yankees chose Gasper in the 27th round in the 2018 draft. Finally making it to MLB with the 2024 Red Sox, it looked like his stay wouldn’t be long, as he went 0-for-18. Not much happened in Minnesota after a trade, as he hit .158/.257/.232 in 110 plate appearances. He was designated for assignment, claimed by the Nationals, waived by the Nationals, and claimed by the Red Sox. Predictably (sarcasm), the 30-year-old compiled a .251/.357/.466 (132 OPS+) line with 10 home runs while playing catcher and first base in 2026. He also has experience at 2B and LF.

UTIL Oliver Dunn – Will the Rays give him a World Series share if they win it all? The Yankees’ 11th-round pick in 2019 went 1-for-11 in nine games for the Rays in 2026.

UTIL Jonathan Ornelas – When the Yankees struggled to generate offense earlier this season, some wondered about Ornelas, who hit .299/.362/.480 in 75 games for Scranton. Eventually released (he likely triggered an opt-out clause), he appeared in Major League games for the Athletics and Brewers, going 4-for-21 with an RBI.

UTIL Oswaldo Cabrera – I figured I throw him in. Claimed off waivers by the Reds, Cabrera went 4-for-13 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base.

OF Brennen Davis – Once a hot prospect, Davis can’t stay on the field. The Yankees gave him a chance in 2025, and he responded by hitting 12 home runs in 36 games for Scranton. The important number there is the 36 games. This season, he appeared in 47 games for Tacoma (Triple-A Seattle), hitting 15 doubles and 9 home runs. If not for injuries…

RHP Cade Winquest – Remember Winquest? The Yankees selected him in the Rule 5 draft and carried him for a while. However, the Yankees designated him for assignment on April 10th and returned him to the Cardinals on April 13th. The Cardinals promoted him late, and he compiled a 3.95 ERA (3.69 FIP) in 11 games (13.2 innings). He allowed a .598 OPS and compiled a solid 28.1% K.

RHP Yoendrys Gomez – Gomez, who debuted in 2023, is already a journeyman. He pitched for the Twins and Rays in 2026, increasing his overall total to five (Yankees, Dodgers, White Sox, Rays, Twins). To his credit, after being purchased from the Rays, Gomez pitched well as the Twins’ closer. In 56 games, he compiled a 3.62 ERA (3.40 FIP) with 21 saves. However, he had a 13.5% BB.

RHP Osiel Rodriguez – A $600,000 signing in 2018, Rodriguez was released after compiling a 2.72 ERA in 30 games for Low-A Tampa in 2024. Some Yankees prospect followers sounded the alarm bells.  Rodriguez, meanwhile, is nowhere to be found after posting a 7.22 ERA in the 2025 Mexican League.

RHP Mitch Spence – Swiped in the Rule 5 draft by the Athletics before the 2024 season, Spence was given a long leash. In 35 games (24 starts), he went 8-10 with a 4.58 ERA (4.21 FIP) over 151.1 innings. After appearing in 32 games for the Athletics in 2025, the Royals acquired him for “unknown compensation” in February. He spent most of the 2026 season in Triple-A Omaha.

RHP Matt Sauer – It’s fun when a former Yankees prospect makes it to MLB. Sauer pitched for the Royals in 2024 and the Dodgers in 2025. In 2026, he took his talents to Korea, compiling a 4.88 ERA over 101.1 innings. His Korean organization released him, and he made his way back to the States. He signed with the Athletics late in the season.

RHP Brooks Kriske – Some players earn a living by becoming top-tier options. Others do it by bouncing around from organization to organization, doing just enough to earn service time towards their pension. The latter describes Kriske, who has pitched for six different organizations since 2020. This year, he pitched in two games for the Athletics, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings.  His career ERA (8.38) is bad but the grind is paying off.

RHP Deivi Garcia – During the 2020 “COVID Tournament,” the Yankees sent a 21-year-old Garcia to the mound in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rays. That didn’t go well. He pitched in the Brewers’ organization in 2025. He was nowhere to be found in 2026.

RHP Zack Littell – Traded to the Twins for Jaime Garcia eons ago, Littell has pitched in 260 games, including 26 games (14 starts) for the Nationals and Diamondbacks in 2026. He’s had his share of ups and downs, with most of his success coming in Tampa Bay (naturally).

RHP Adam Stone – Selected by the Cubs in the 2025 Rule 5 draft (minor league phase), Stone pitched well for their A+ affiliate in South Bend. He posted a 2.20 ERA over 49 innings with a 44/29 K/BB. That’s too many walks, but he allowed only one home run.

RHP Sean Hermann – Selected by the Mariners in the 2025 Rule 5 draft (minor league phase), Hermann couldn’t escape Low-A. He owned a 4.71 ERA over 65 innings.

RHP Chase Hampton – The former Top 100 prospect can’t get past his injuries. After the Yankees designated him for assignment, he bounced around to the Nationals and Cardinals. He made zero appearances (the transactions occurred in September).

RHP Ron Marinaccio – Marinaccio pitched well as a Yankees’ rookie. In 2022, he compiled a 2.02 ERA and 30.9% K rate in 44 innings. While he pitched well enough in 2023, he never regained that success. In 2026, he pitched for the Padres, Pirates, and Reds, compiling an ugly 6.09 ERA in 41 games (57.2 innings). Oftentimes, if you pitch well early in your career, teams will give you chances to recapture that magic. That is what is happening with Marinaccio.

LHP Matt Turner – Selected by the Mets in the 2025 Rule 5 draft (minor league phase), Turner was never a Yankees prospect. The Mets chose him not long after the Yankees signed him. He compiled a 4.91 ERA in 33 innings for Triple-A Syracuse.

LHP Dietrich Enns – Enns, the second pitcher dealt to the Twins for Garcia, continues to earn MLB appearances. In 2026, he posted a 3.94 ERA in 13 games for the Orioles. In his career, which includes years in Korea and Japan, he owns a 3.86 ERA (3.57 FIP) over 88.2 innings.

LHP Matt Krook – The Nationals brought Krook into a game against the Yankees in a save situation earlier this season. It went as well as you would expect. Baseball is a funny game, because of how thin the margins are. Krook’s calling card is ground balls, and he getting plenty of those (49.1% career rate), but the numbers are awful (13.50 ERA in 16.2 career innings). This suggests he would need to generate ground balls at around the rate Tim Hill does if he wants to sustain a career.