CHICAGO — For all the hype surrounding the Yankees’ top prospects, the nonwaiver trading deadline was an opportunity to test the patience and resolve of a franchise that has rarely been known for either.
So, when teams came calling for outfielder Aaron Judge, pitcher Luis Severino, first baseman Greg Bird and shortstop Jorge Mateo, and dangled the A-list pitchers the Yankees sorely need at the moment, they did something unusual.
They said no. Putting their money where their prospects are, the Yankees did little to buttress their fragile pitching staff and brand themselves World Series contenders, instead choosing to hold on to players they expect will develop into more of the kind who were the foundation of five World Series-winning teams.