KANSAS CITY — Nearly two dozen farmhands from the Yankees’ very rich minor-league system were dealt in the last two years for various reasons.
For instance, four touted prospects, including two former No. 1 draft picks (James Kaprielian and Blake Rutherford, pictured above from left to right), were moved in trades last summer with the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox that loaded up the big club for a playoff run.
Other times, the Yankees traded players that they were struggling to find room for on their 40-man roster for younger prospects that don’t yet need protected.