Dan Haren Traded to Angels: Why the New York Yankees Drew the Short Straw Again

“Breathing first, winning next…”

That was George Steinbrenner’s mantra as owner of the New York Yankees.

Certainly, that concept has translated to the 2010 Yankees, who have posted the best record in baseball to date – leading division rival Tampa Bay by three games heading into Monday.

But the winning isn’t translating across the board entirely.  For years and years, we expected the men in pinstripes to dominate free agency, take over the standings and reel in whatever player they wanted via trade.

Ding ding ding – you are correct!  Something’s missing.

It’s been no secret that over recent weeks, the New York Yankees have been seeking an impact starting pitcher to bolster their already talented rotation.

Cliff Lee – who nearly landed in the Bronx – instead was dealt from Seattle to Texas

Baseball has had its share of aces available throughout the month of July, from Cliff Lee, to Roy Oswalt, to Dan Haren and then some.

Lee was the first to go – dealt away from a struggling Mariners club, to division rival Texas.

The Yankees wanted Lee badly – and nearly had him.  But the trade fell through.

In fact, the deal was so close, that Joel Sherman of the New York Post described the Bronx Bombers as being “on the brink of obtaining Cliff Lee.”

Here’s the tidbit that’s more puzzling: Not only did the Yankees lose out on dealing for Cliff Lee, they lost out to a Texas team that recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

But wait, it gets worse.

The New York Yankees moved on with their negotiations, and baseball assumed it would only be a matter of time that they would get their man.

Dan Haren was next.

Dan Haren was traded to the Angels in exchange for Joe Saunders, two prospects and a player to be named

As SI.com’s Jon Heyman reported, the Yankees had significant discussions with Arizona for Haren.  A number of names were tossed around.  New York refused to include Joba Chamberlain.  They appeared willing to include prospects such as Ivan Nova and Zach McAllister.

Dealin’ D’Backs

Only, the Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t play along.  Earlier today, the D’Backs dealt away their ace to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in exchange for starting pitcher Joe Saunders, two minor league prospects and a player to be named.

That’s strike two.

But there’s something lost in the depths of baseball breaking news on two blockbuster deals for two No. 1 starters.  Specifically, both of these players were traded to American League clubs – and NEITHER of them was the New York Yankees.

Instead, two AL West teams – both who could wind up facing the Yankees in the playoffs.

What in the name of the Yankee Clipper is going on here?

There are a few ways to look at it.  But in general, the Yankees need to change the way they do business.

Money can’t always buy happiness.

Sure, it worked last season – and it’s worked a lot of seasons, but today’s game is changing rapidly.

The Yankees formula worked in 2009, but the game is changing rapidly

Gone are the days that teams will just give away any player.  Here are the times where a top prospect is grown internally and kept for years.

New York’s farm system is getting to be on the weaker side.  With bargaining chips like Jesus Montero included in rumors, it would only fall farther into the tank.

There lies your real problem.

Minors Bigger in Texas

You see, the Texas Rangers had the top ranked farm system according to ESPN’s Keith Law in 2009 – and that’s the main reason they were able to seal the deal for Lee. 

Plain and simple, there was simply more to offer up.

Joe Saunders is the main piece in the deal that brings Dan Haren from Arizona to Anaheim

Meanwhile, while the Angels rank significantly lower on the list, they have a number of low-to-mid 20-somethings on the roster (that are of high value, too).  That includes the likes of Joe Saunders, who will now be sporting Sedona red, as opposed to Yankee pinstripes.

So that’s the deal – the MLB Draft features a pool of many question marks.  Only a few guys emerge as legit talent.  Sure, home-grown players can grow into contributors.  But over recent seasons, the Yankees have been dealing away the majority of their prospects (for impact players).

For every Joba or Hughes that is still in New York, there are two to three others sent away for a quick fix.

Go ahead and spend all the money on Earth during an offseason.  Once the season begins, a number of issues can arise, from struggles to injuries.  A team will almost always need to dip into the minor league talent pool.  When that pool has no water, well, it’s a little tougher to keep swimming.

In today’s game, teams like the Rangers, Rays and Angels have a significant mixture of free agent and minor league talent.  This makes it easier to put the final pieces into place.

At this rate, the Bronx Bombers are losing that luxury.  Instead, trades for big names are falling through.  The competition is catching up.  The Yankees can just sit and hope that “the best roster money can buy” has what it takes to seal the deal and hoist the trophy.

Breathing may be first – and winning may be next, but baseball now has a new formula for both.

If a franchise can’t adjust – then the result could easily be “strike three.”

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