NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brooks Kriske #82 of the New York Yankees in action against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2021 in New York City. The Braves defeated the Yankees 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees have been abnormally precious with their 40-man roster spots over the past year and a half or so.
Of course, once a player they’re intrigued by is “protected,” that’s still a temporary solution to a roster crunch.
If you “like” but don’t love too many of your own players, you’ve shut off a clear path towards bettering your roster, an issue that becomes even more glaring for Brian Cashman when he holds tight to his prospects at consecutive deadlines instead of making maneuvers.