When the New York Yankees’ Double-A team, the Trenton Thunder, rolled into Portland on April 23, it featured some of the best prospects in baseball.

The only questions remaining seemed to be: When would they be traded to improve the major league Yankees, and to whom?

The Yankees answered that question Friday. Despite American League East rival Toronto making loads of deals to get better, the Yankees refused to trade their promising players as baseball’s non-waiver trading ended.

As for the Boston Red Sox, they made one minor move, sending cash to the Oakland A’s for one-time All-Star reliever Ryan Cook, who was banished to the minors this year.

Boston entered the deadline with one of the worst records in the majors (45-58) but had few players other teams wanted – unlike last year when the last-place Red Sox dealt away pitchers Jon Lester, John Lackey and Andrew Miller, and outfielder Jonny Gomes.

The only other recent trade Boston made was sending outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday for utility player Josh Rutledge.

Other veterans, including first baseman Mike Napoli, outfielder Alejandro De Aza, and pitchers Justin Masterson and Craig Breslow, were considered trade bait by Boston. They can still be dealt in August but will first have to clear waivers. Both Napoli and De Aza were in Boston’s lineup Friday night.

But no big moves Friday.

“We didn’t find anything that made sense to us right now,” General Manager Ben Cherington said.

The Yankees apparently felt the same way. They entered Friday with a six-game lead over the Blue Jays and Orioles, and made no moves to bolster the roster.

“I’m doubling down on what we’ve got,” General Manager Brian Cashman told the New York media.

Cashman also said one of his prized prospects – pitcher Luis Severino – will make his next start with the major league team.

Severino, 21, pitched at Hadlock Field on April 24 and had one of his worst outings, allowing a season-high eight hits and six runs, three earned. But Severino’s talent was obvious and he was in Triple-A by the end of May, where he is 7-0 with a 1.91 ERA.

Like Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge and first baseman Greg Bird began the year in Trenton and are now in Triple-A. They represent three of the Yankees’ top four prospects, according to Baseball America.

The fourth, Class A shortstop Jorge Mateo, was another player Cashman wasn’t going to deal easily.

New York, it was speculated, would go after pitching with Michael Pineda (forearm strain) hurt, Masahiro Tanaka (elbow ligament tear) and Ivan Nova (fatigued arm) limited, and CC Sabathia (5.54 ERA) fading.

But the Yankees have been doing fine and Severino may be the boost to keep them ahead.

While the Orioles made few moves (obtaining outfielder Gerardo Parra from Milwaukee), the Blue Jays overhauled their roster.

Earlier in the week, Toronto traded for two All-Stars, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies) and starter David Price (Tigers), plus reliever LaTroy Hawkins (Rockies).

On Friday, the Blue Jays acquired reliever Mark Lowe (Mariners) and outfielder Ben Revere (Phillies).

Tampa Bay, entering Friday seven games behind New York, has been sellers. The Rays had already sent outfielder David DeJesus to the Angels for a minor leaguer. On Friday they traded reliever Kevin Jepsen to the Twins for two minor leaguers.

Boston is hoping Cook, 28, is able to bounce back to his previous form.

He was an All-Star in 2012, compiling a 2.09 ERA. He stayed with Oakland the next two seasons, but struggled early this year and has spent most of the season in Triple-A.

If you’re a Boston fan, trade deadline day was dull. Followers of the Blue Jays have experienced an exciting week. New York fans can only sit back and hope Cashman is right.

 

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