Yankees' trade analysis

Followers of the New York Yankees had become accustomed to a lot of talk but not much action. The method of operation changed this week as the Bombers' Brass shook their slump. The trade with the Pirates featuring four prospects in return for Marte and Nady is garnering praise for the Pinstripes and barbs for the Bucs:

"There's isn't much room for second-guessing here, because this is simple good work and front-office execution. The Yankees needed to do something, but they also needed to address multiple problems. The fact that they've managed to do so with a one-stop shopping trip to Steel City was inspired, to be sure, and the fact that they got two important components without giving anything they'll really regret giving up makes it that much more of an exceptional acquisition."

Are the Yankees shrewd or the the Pirates skewed? "The Yankees are a better team now than they were before the trade. Pittsburgh received four minor-leaguers in the deal. They won't be a big help to the Pirates this season and might never make a positive impact: Yankees top outfield prospect Jose Tabata (.248, 9 doubles, 3 HRs, 36 RBI, 10 stolen bases in 79 games for Double-A Trenton; but he's only 19 years old, giving him lots of time to develop) and pitchers Ross Oehlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutcheon.
The trade said a lot about both organizations. The Yankees want to win — every year. The Pirates appear to be in business to sell some tickets and hot dogs and make a modest profit while finishing below .500."

More applause: "They also made a move Friday that apparently has general managers across baseball shaking their heads. How did the Yankees manage to bring in a coveted corner outfielder having a career year (Xavier Nady) and arguably the best available reliever (Marte) without having to give the Pirates any major league players? Sure, Jose Tabata could become a star, but who knows?
All that's known is this: The Yankees, playing their best baseball of the season, became a better team over the weekend, one with fewer weaknesses, one with a stronger bridge to Mariano Rivera and one that doesn't have to sulk about possibly losing both Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada for the rest of the season. And now there are reports that Jarrod Washburn of the Mariners could be joining the Yankees. The cost: another minor leaguer. Washburn (5-9, 4.50) is not the ace he was six years ago, but he's a good replacement for Darrell Rasner at the back of the rotation, another little piece of the puzzle that would seem to fit well as the Yankees make a run in the AL East. Not long ago, the Red Sox were rolling and waiting on Ortiz's return. Not long ago, the Yankees were reeling and seeing the injuries pile up — A-Rod, Matsui, Posada, Johnny Damon. But all of a sudden the Yankees have energy and a few more capable guys aboard to help out. And it didn't cost that much."

It's amusing to note what happens to Yankees' farm prospects once they're removed from the Big Apple hype. Boundless potential becomes dubious suspect. Developing stars in the glare of Gotham is a risky proposition. Joba is a rare find, not a normal occurrence. The organization's vast resources and media hype machine allow them to build them up and trade them off. A veteran laden team has a chance to win now, while the farm harvests another crop. The full value of a strong system is realized when you trade the suspects and keep the prospects. This week the Yankees took a big step in optimizing their potential. The talk was backed up with action--it's about time.