It Must Suck to Be Drafted By or Be a Prospect For the New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are one of the most recognizable sports teams in the world. Yet, the funny thing is if you're a young player in the Yankees organization it means more than likely you will probably never step foot into a Yankee uniform in the majors. 

So, it's hard to fathom why Major League Baseball even allows the Yankees to be involved in the draft. Considering the fact that instead of being able to develop players the Yankees would rather wait until players from other teams develop into superstars and become free agents to throw money at them to come play for the historic franchise.

Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh in regards to the draft. The Yankees have developed some talent through their farm system from their drafts in recent memory, but the only three that come to mind are Derek Jeter, Joba Chamberlain, and Jorge Posada.

What about Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Bernie Williams? They did come up through the Yankees system as well, but they were not drafted. Both Rivera and Williams were signed as amateur free agents.

The Yankees though like to trade their talent from the minor leagues for proven players for example last year in order to acquire Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates the Yankees gave up Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohledndorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jose Tabata. 

Another trade that comes to mind is how the Yankees acquired Chuck Knooblauch. In order to get him from the Minnesota Twins they sent Eric Milton who became a solid pitcher with the Twins and at the time was an up and coming prospect in the Yankees system, Brian Buchanan, Cristian Guzman, Danny Mota, and some cash.

Even last year the Yankees brought up some speed threats from the minors hoping to make the lineup more dangerous. Brett Gardner comes to mind due to the struggles of Melky Cabrera.

Cabrera was traded this offseason for Mike Cameron. Meaning the Gardner may not see much time in a Yankees uniform this season unless he makes it as a backup outfielder. Which more than likely won't happen. 

The reason being is that the Yankees also acquired Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox. So, Gardner is going to head back to the minors. Swisher gives the Yankees flexibility because he can play all three outfield positions and plays a solid first base as well if Mark Teixeira should get hurt or need rest.

The Yankees again gave up prospects to get Swisher although not even as close to what kind of prospects the White Sox gave up to get Swisher from the Oakland Athletics. The White Sox received Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez, and Jhonny Nunez. The Yankees also received Kanekoa Texeira from the White Sox.

So, this leads to the situation with a pitcher of the Yankees who was deemed untouchable when the Yankees looked at both Johan Santana and C.C. Sabathia over the past two years.

Hughes could become the Yankees fifth starter, but that doesn't seem likely considering the Yankees are stilling mulling over signing Andy Pettitte to another one year contract. If Pettitte does sign Hughes maybe relegated to the bullpen or back to the minors. 

The Yankees very rarely are able to develop players just look at their current lineup and you will find that a majority of the players were developed by other teams. So, as you can imagine it must suck to be a Yankee prospect when the odds are not stacked in your favor of even getting  chance to play for the Yankees.