A few thoughts coming out of the trade deadline and heading into the two-month stretch:

1. Usually whichever teams are busiest, and acquiring known and, better yet, famous commodities are determined to have won the offseason or the trade deadline. But it was not just fans and reporters who hailed Brian Cashman’s late July flurry to address so many areas of need while not touching the close-to-the-majors top of his prospect list. Executives throughout the sport praised the dexterity.

And I agree. I thought it was a terrific effort, especially because so many of the key players obtained have control beyond this year and potentially solve third base for a while (Ryan McMahon) or give the Yankees’ late-inning bullpen options (David Bednar, Jake Bird, Camilo Doval) with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams due to be free agents.

Yet, there is nothing quite as perilous as obtaining relievers at this time of year, considering you are enlisting for roughly 20 regular season innings and the performances of all but a few are so volatile.