The Unheralded MVPs Behind the Yankees Trade Deadline Success

Brian Cashman has been given his flowers this weekend, dramatically changing the Yankees' bullpen and upgrading the infield defense. Almost every analyst in the game has praised the Yankees GM for making solid trades before Thursday’s deadline. 

But a few of those bouquets should be sent to Tampa and the office of Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees' head of amateur scouting. 

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, New York landed Pirates closer David Bednar by packaging together three virtually unheralded prospects: catcher Rafael Flores, catcher Edgleen Perez, and center fielder Brian Sanchez. 

None of them cracked the Yankees’ upper-tier rankings. One wasn’t even drafted.

Flores went undrafted out of Orange County. Perez and Sanchez? International signings who reportedly cost the Yankees less than $100,000 combined. And now, they’re the return for a two-time All-Star closer with years of team control. Not bad.

In fact, the Yankees flipped three prospects that Oppenheimer signed as undrafted free agents to make moves at the deadline, according to YES Network’s Conor Foley.

If Cashman deserves credit for finishing the deal, scouting director Oppenheimer deserves just as much for starting it. The Yankees didn’t just outbid the market. They out-scouted it.

And that’s been a trend. 

While the Yankees’ big-league roster still has holes and question marks, the front office has consistently found value in overlooked corners of the market. Flores had just started to pop this season. Sanchez had tools but no national buzz. Perez was just 19.

Yet together, they were enough to land one of the top bullpen arms available. His Yankees’ debut aside, Bednar will bring late-inning power, swing-and-miss stuff, and a much-needed stabilizing force for a Yankees bullpen that stumbled hard through July.

It’s not often you can flip three low-cost fliers and end up with an important All-Star with team control. But that’s what the Yankees did. And the move could be a difference-maker.

Forget the blockbuster rumors and the missed chances for a power bat at third base. If Bednar locks down October wins, this becomes the move everyone remembers.

And if you're looking for the MVP of that trade?

Start with the scouts. Then tip your cap to Damon Oppenheimer.