Brian Cashman’s Deadline Gamble Gets ESPN Backing as Yankees Eye Redemption After Marlins Embarrassment

It’s been over two decades since the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins clashed in the 2003 World Series. The same showdown that’s remembered for Josh Beckett’s brilliance and young Miguel Cabrera’s breakout at the biggest stage. Then the Marlins had taken the title. This weekend in Miami, though, they took the Yankees’ pride!

For the first time in the franchise’s history, the Yankees were swept by the Marlins. A 7-3 loss on Sunday at LoanDepot Park is the reality. The Bronx have now dropped to 60-52, chasing the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race. A position no Yankee fan wants the team to be in August.

This wasn’t just a stumble, you see; it was the bottom of their season. It’s exactly what the front office wanted to avoid. It’s why Brian Cashman added Camilo Doval, David Bednar, and Jake Bird at the trade deadline. These were all moves to bolster the bullpen that’s been wobbly at best for weeks. But here they are. However, as fans are questioning their deadline moves, not everyone is pointing fingers at the Yankees.

As ESPN’s Jeff Passan had put in his column, “The Mets and Yankees simply did what they needed to do to compete.” He practically defended the Yankees from the post-deadline backlash. And sure, maybe on paper it was enough, but in reality, the Excel spreadsheet looked pretty different. In Miami, the Yankees simply looked flat and uninspired. But mostly they looked unfocused.

But tell that to Boone, and he might react like he did at the Talkin’ Yanks podcast! Luis Gil, for example, couldn’t make it through four innings. The bats once again were cold, and the new bullpen arms seem irrelevant when one is already losing. So, at the end, the fans are left questioning, what did the trade activity do?

The Yankees loaded up, and they made moves with October in mind, but this loss was a gut punch. Plus, it doesn’t help that Aaron Judge, the glue for the team, is sidelined now with his injury. So here is the truth: unless things shift quickly starting in Texas this week, this team isn’t looking at chasing a pennant.

Marlins defy all odds as they sweep the Yankees

The Yankees vs. Marlins shouldn’t just headline the fact that the former lost. Because, sure, it was a pinstripe meltdown, but it was a Marlins statement. They started the season 16 games under .500, and they clawed their way back to even 55-55. It’s something that’s not been seen since the 2014 Rays! But that’s not the only surprising thing.

They did it with the lowest payroll in baseball. According to Fangraphs, their $69 million roster is $9 million less than even the A’s. Plus, that’s not just the only major hurdle they have had to face, because Clayton McCullough, the first-year manager, has had to hold this squad together through a major turnover. They had traded away Jazz Chisholm Jr., Luis Arraez, and Jesus Luzardo in the last year and lost Jorge Soler in free agency.

Plus, the rotation has battled injury after injury, with Sandy Alcantara still looking to find a glimpse of his former self. And Eury Perez is making just 10 starts. But here they are playing some meaningful baseball, just six games out of the wild card spot.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are not lucky, and even Aaron Boone admitted it a little this time, saying, “It’s gut-check time.” The team is now losing ground fast in the AL Wild Card race. So who would have known that August brings news of Miami rising from the ashes like a phoenix, and the Yankees dispute trying to simply unravel?

Well, an underdog can steal the show. Don’t you think?