Yankees fans seemed pleased with the acquisition of pitcher Javier Vazquez, a perfect No. 4 starter for the club.

Mets fans, who sit waiting for a move that is at least similar, wish their team had the resources to accomplish that.

Those “resources’’ are prospects and major-leaguers, not stars, such as Melky Cabrera.  The Yankees have them, the Red Sox have them, the Texas Rangers have them and the Dodgers have them. So do Arizona and Milwaukee. The Mets, Ike Davis and Jenrry Mejia aside, really don’t.

This is not a piece, however, to degrade the Mets’ development record. Rather, it is one to defend what the Yankees – and the rival Red Sox- are doing in their approach to the farm system and the needs of the big-league club.

First, let’s dismiss the notion that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is putting development on the back burner.  One established prospect – outfielder Austin Jackson – and one 19-year-old with a lot of potential – pitcher Arodys Vizcaino – went in the Curtis Granderson and Vazquez trades.

Michael Dunn and Phil Coke were both nice relievers, but expendable.  So was Cabrera, who still must prove he can play every day.

Cashman is committed to development, but, as in my chat with Double-A Trenton manager Tony Franklin earlier this week, the realization is not every prospect, no matter how highly touted, is going to play for the Yankees.

In many talks with Cashman, whether it’s in New York, Trenton, Charleston or Florida, the Yankees are committed to both building an elite farm system and using what players are developed for the need at hand.

So Vizcaino was traded.  Still in the system are talents like Zach McAllister, Andrew Brackman, Hector Noesi, Manny Banuelos and David Phelps.  Dunn and Coke are gone, but Mark Melancon and Kevin Whelan remain.

Other talented pitchers, like Dellin Betances and Chris Garcia need to get healthy. Jeremy Bleich needs to see if he can get over the wall in Double-A in 2010.

The trade of Cabrera leaves a hole in the outfield.  The Yankees system has some young outfielders with potential – Melky Mesa, Austin Krum and Abraham Almonte, along with top 2009 pick Slade Heathcott – but they are a few years away.

The Yankees system is loaded in the catching area, and there are several solid infield prospects.

So the system is solid, which brings up the second reason prospects are being moved. No offense to the players, but this winter’s free-agent market is mediocre at best. What should the Yankees do? Overpay or trade? I say trade.

The third factor is the draft. Over the past five years, the Yankees have hit on as many picks as they have missed.  It’s a guessing-game. C.J.Henry was drafted ahead of both Jackson and Brett Gardner in 2005.

The fourth is the Yankees, in the international arena, have a big advantage over other teams in that they have the money to reel in a Kelvin DeLeon or a Gary Sanchez.  Those signings, in reality, give the Yankees additional top draft picks.

Just because the Yankees traded some blue-chip prospects – which was the thing to do in this year’s Hot Stove – don’t believe development is being abandoned.

The Yankees did what they needed to do in 2009-10.

Go to Trenton and watch Austin Romine this spring.  Drive to Scranton and watch Jesus Montero.  Look for DeLeon probably in Staten Island for part of the NY-P season. You’ll see development and potential at its best.

But remember, not all of them will play for the Yankees.

Jed spent 35 years in the newspaper business working as both a writer and editor, in both sports and news under tight deadline pressure. As both sports editor at the Indiana (Pa.) Gazette and a copy editor/columnist at The Times of Trenton, he made daily decisions on overall coverage and designed and produced thousands of pages and special sections. Since accepting a buyout from The Times, he has concentrated on broadening his writing and editing horizons to the medical, academic and business fields. Anyone is welcome to Google Jed to see the different places in print, on the Web and in front of the camera his professional expertise has spread to.

Jed Weisberger

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Tags: Abraham Almonte, Andrew Brackman, Arodys Vizcaino, Austin Jackson, Austin Krum, Austin Romine, Brett Gardner, Brian Cashman, Chris Garcia, Curtis Granderson, David Phelps, Dellin Betances, Hector Noesi, Ike Davis, Javier Vazquez, Jenrry Mejia, Jeremy Bleich, Jesus Montero, Kelvin DeLeon, Kevin Whelan, Manuel Banuelos, Mark Melancon, Melky Cabrera, Melky Mesa, Michael Dunn, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Phil Coke, Slade Heathcott, Tony Franklin, Trenton Thunder, Zach McAllister