ST. LOUIS — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has rarely made road trips for years, so it was a surprise seeing him standing outside the Busch Stadium visiting dugout Friday while his sputtering-for-two-months ballclub took batting practice ahead of this weekend’s series opener against the Cardinals.

Joe Maddon shared an almost patronizing way for the New York Yankees to handle struggling closer Devin Williams.

In describing the behind-the-scenes conversations leading up to the July 31 Trade Deadline, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said some players were “more touchable than others,” making clear they shut down multiple inquiries involving the top of the farm system.