Yankees Farm System Down To Last Two Players

COLUMBUS, OH--Rich Hamden of the AAA Columbus Clippers and Kyle Baldwin of the AA Trenton Thunder don’t know each other personally, but they do have something in common. They are the last remaining players in the Yankees farm system, which has been decimated by trades the past three years. The latest blow came when the Yankees agreed to send Dioner Navarro and pitching prospect Brad Halsey to the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson. Nevertheless, Hamden and Baldwin have been told to report to spring training as usual.

“Rich and Kyle, our farm system, will report to spring training this year just like any other year,” said GM Brian Cashman. “I know there are a few alarmists out there who say we have no farm system left, but clearly these two players are a shining example of the Yankees’ vast reserve of homegrown talent. They’re going to have a very productive season playing catch with each other.”

Cashman did not comment when asked how their minor league clubs would be able to compete with a total of two players to share between them.

“I don’t think that’s a fair question. All I can tell you is that we will have a thriving minor league system this year that will be the envy of every other team in baseball. Just imagine how much time and attention our coaches can lavish on these two young men. They will receive the best instruction available and should be ready to play in the big leagues in no time. Plus, we always have the option of trading them for a veteran player who will be with us for half a season.”

Cashman defended the team’s purging of its farm system in recent years, noting the valuable assets they received in return for their blue chip prospects.

“Prospects are used as trade bait all the time. It’s very common. To say that we have been reckless with our minor league players is a vast overstatement. How can that be true when we’ve received so much in return? For instance, last season we made a very good, if under-reported, trade for a talented third baseman that would’ve seriously helped our club had he not been 42-years-old with two bad legs and a degenerative eye condition. He only cost us six prospects. Unfortunately he committed suicide during one of his drug binges. But you know what? I’d make the same trade again, knowing what I know now. As we say here in New York, you have to spend money to be a disappointment.”

Job security is not a luxury Yankee farmhands enjoy. Both Hamden and Baldwin admit to being concerned about their jobs, but they are taking it all in stride.

“Playing in the Yankee organization is a great honor, but it’s also a little unsettling,” said Hamden, who was drafted in 2002. “I know all teams use prospects as bargaining chips, but with the amount of turnaround here you’ve got to have your bags packed at all times. In fact, getting drafted by the Yankees means, more than anything, that you will never actually play for the Yankees. You will probably be shipped off to some small market team who has a disgruntled star that wants out. Heck, when the Yankees picked me in the draft, they sent me a hat and uniform for the Milwaukee Brewers.”

Baldwin had the same feeling when he was drafted with the team’s second pick last year. Even though he is one of the last two players in the Yankees farm system, he is not expecting to stick around for very long.

“I’m pretty sure they drafted me with the sole intention of trading me away,” said Baldwin, a left-handed starter who has a fastball in the mid-90’s. “But that’s part of the business, I guess. Everyday I come to the ballpark and check to make sure my name is on the roster. Now that I’m the only player left on the Thunder I’m hoping maybe they’ll promote me to Columbus, where I can fulfill my lifelong dream of living in central Ohio.”

The coach of the Columbus Clippers, Bucky Dent, has had to adjust to the club’s high turnaround rate the past few years. Going into the 2005 season he is facing the biggest challenge of his coaching career.

“Well we may only have one player right now, but he’s a damn good player,” said Dent. “I’ve been following Rich’s progress since he was drafted and I feel that he is going to be a star in the major leagues someday. In fact it will be an honor for me to coach him…. Hold on, that’s my cell phone. Hello? Uh-huh. I see. Thank you. Well, disregard everything I just said, guys. Rich has been traded.”