Wither goest Tyler Wade, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you

Now and then, I must remind myself that Tyler Wade is only 24: He was in kindergarten when the Towers fell. Twenty four. Had he gone to college, instead of signing with the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, he would probably be bumping around Trenton, instead of sitting on his third fragmented year in Gotham.

Wade so seriously so crapped the bed in 2017 (.155) and 2018 (.167) that many of us punted on his prospect rankings, assuming him trade fodder status within the bowels of the Death Star's roster sheets. Clearly, the only reason he hadn't been traded was that nobody wanted him, right? Not only was the poor guy landlocked behind Didi, Gleyber, DJ and Gio, but Thairo Estrada was rising from the lower depths, and Kyle Holder couldn't be stashed in Trenton forever. 

Wade had contracted what was once known as Bernie Williams Disease. That's when a prospect is so excessively hyped at early ages that, by the time he reaches the majors, fans are sick of hearing about him, and it's assumed that he'll fail. The Yankees do that a lot. For more information on this terrible affliction, Google the name "Clint Frazier." 

Well, over the next two weeks, Tyler Wade might be the most important Yankee on our roster. 

He is now the closest we have to a back-up CF, with our main man having turned 36. If and when Brett Gardner goes down, Wade could find himself in the post-season, handling the traditional Yankee marque position.  

There is no one else. (I suppose DJ LeMahiue can play anywhere, but would we dare attempt such a move?) Nope, in a year of revolving doors and cruel dealings by the juju gods, our next man up in centerfield is Wade. 

But I am not saying this to provoke terror. In fact, if you approach his career on the Tauchman/Voit Scale of Minor League Production, there is hope. Here are his numbers throughout the minors.

A few things here: 

1. The guy can run. In recent springs, he was listed as the fastest Yankee on the 40-man roster. There was a good chance that, no matter how bloodied this team is with injuries, Wade would make the October roster as a pinch runner.

2. The last three years should include an asterisk for Wade's mental health. Each season, he seemingly made the team in spring training, then botched his chances in the majors (in very limited appearances), to be jettisoned to Scranton in a burlap sack of depression and disillusionment. In each case, he became a forgotten man... and battled back. That's good. 

3. But here's the problem: In the last three years, he has played 16 games in centerfield. Sixteen. In those games, he has made 31 plays, recording one assist and one error. Sixteen games. Ouch.

Today, the Yankees play two. I gotta believe we'll see Wade manning center in one of them. If not, I dunno... the injured Cameron Maybin? Hmm. 

On another matter... Boston lost again last night, 8-0 to Toronto. They achieved two hits. Obviously, their backs were broken at Fenway this weekend. Or maybe something else is happening. 

They are already tanking, throwing in the towel for next year. That's what Boston has done over the last two decades: Once they're out of it, play to lose. 

Don't be surprised if they clean house this winter, finish last in the AL East next year, draft high and deal all their sludge for young prospects, and make a concerted resurgence in 2021. That's what they do. In this sad age of teams who don't even bother to try, it's a smart-but-cynical plan. Boston will do it. Maybe they're already starting.