Brian Cashman Reveals How Edwin Encarnacion Deal Affects Clint Frazier's Yankees Future

In the aftermath of the New York Yankees acquiring slugger Edwin Encarnacion from the Seattle Mariners via trade, the team sent outfielder Clint Frazier down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Now, general manager Brain Cashman has opened up about why the move was made, and what that means for Frazier's long-term role with the team. Point blank, Cashman said that Frazier was sent down to the minors because going with Encarnacion presents a greater upgrade to an admittedly already-stacked Yankees lineup.

Cashman also stated that Frazier would have been sent down anyway once Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge got back from their current rehab assignments. Stanton is scheduled to be back with the team Tuesday, with Judge not considered far behind.

By acquiring Encarnacion, the Bronx Bombers did improve their team noticeably, but it doesn't mean that the Yankees are a perfect ball club at the moment. Their pitching is in real need of some help, and they are expected to go out and get a big-name starter ahead of the trade deadline.

Sending Frazier to Triple-A makes him even more tempting as trade bait for rival teams. Tough Frazier's defense has been a huge question about his game, there's no doubt the man can hit. He swatted .283 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs while in New York; a team that is in need of up-and-coming outfield help will certainly be giving Cashman a call knowing that "Red Thunder" is essentially surplus to requirements.

Cashman said he is thrilled with Frazier's progress and that the team likes him a lot, but it won't be a huge shock if the Yankees GM trades him as part of a deal for an attractive starter. It may be just a matter of time.