‘Uber’ Yankees? Brian Cashman hatches LeBron James-like master plan

11:51 AM ET

NEW YORK — Imagine it’s the winter of 2018 and Bryce Harper is sitting on a stool during his introductory news conference at Yankee Stadium. Next to him, Manny Machado and Jose Fernandez giggle as Harper holds the mic close to his lips, predicting, “Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven.”

LeBron James, a Yankees fan mind you, once said those famous words about Miami Heat championships after Pat Riley orchestrated some offseason sorcery in 2010.

On Monday, the Yankees did wave a white flag, but in burying 2016’s mediocrity, they have established the ground floor for what could be their next “uber team,” to borrow GM Brian Cashman’s phrase.

In the aftermath of the great sell-off, the Yankees made it clear they are trying to set themselves up to win “not one, not two, not three …” championships. They did it by acquiring 12 prospects who have elevated their farm system to among baseball’s best.

“I understand why they did it,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of the front office’s decision to sell with the team at .500. “There is age on this team. I think there are needs on this team. Brian and his staff are trying to put this team in a good position to have a long run of not just playing well, but winning championships. I think this is what this organization is about. It is not about being a second wild-card team and winning one game or losing one. We want championships.”

On Monday, the Yankees closed the curtain on their historic, nearly 25-year run of success that began with the Core Four, which led the team to four titles, while CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez quarterbacked a fifth.

At some point the run would be over, and the Yankees, teetering for a few years now, finally knew it was time to move on.

They are most likely moving on up, because out of the wreckage of this middling 2016 season, Cashman has masterminded a plan that could very well lead to the next dynasty.

“From my perspective, there is no shame in what we have tried to address,” Cashman said. “I think what we have tried to do is make good, sound business decisions to put ourselves in the best spot possible.”

Could Bryce Harper and Manny Machado be hitting back to back in the Yankees’ 2019 lineup? After Monday’s trade deadline, it’s a lot more likely. Getty Images

In acquiring not one, not two, not three … but 12 prospects by trading Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova, Cashman has …

continue reading in source espn.go.com