system. "Baby Bombers" Era (2017-present) In 2017, the Yankees made the postseason with rookie outfielder Aaron Judge and second-year catcher Gary Sanchez. The Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins in the 2017 American League Wild Card Game, and then went on to defeat the Cleveland Indians in the 2017 American League Division Series. Making their first appearance in the American League Championship Series since 2012, the Yankees lost to the Houston Astros in seven games, far outpacing the expectations of many analysts. Following the season, Cashman recommended to the owner Hal Steinbrenner that a managerial change was needed. Baseball America named Cashman their Executive of the Year after the season. On December 9, Cashman traded second baseman Starlin Castro and two prospects for Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. On December 11, 2017, Cashman signed a 5-year, $25 million contract with the Yankees to keep him as General Manager through 2022. The 2018 season saw Cashman and the Yankees win 100 games. Despite a lopsided victory in the AL Wildcard game over the A's, New York would fall to their rivals: Boston Red Sox in the Division Series. On April 7, 2019, Cashman won his 2,000th game as the Yankees general manager. In the 2019 season, the Yankees won 103 games despite having over 30 players on the injured list during the season, with the players accounting over $81 million unable to play at one point of time. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Yankees got off to an 8-1 start, and were 16-6 mid-August, before a seven-game losing streak. The team finished both August and September 14-13, which included a 1-7 stretch against the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Mets, before an 11-2 run, and finished the season 33-27, good for second-place in the East and a spot in the American League Wild Card Series, their 28th consecutive winning season. They won the series 2-0 against the Cleveland Indians, but lost the 2020 American League Division Series three-games-to-two against the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2021, the Yankees rebounded to win 92 games, behind several winning streaks. Numerous player injuries in the first half of the season contributed to poor offense (through July, the Yankees had the second-lowest number of runs scored in the A.L.). Looking to bolster offensive production, Cashman traded for Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo, two strong left-handed batters. Between August 14-27, the team