Thoughts from Cashman on returning
It was interesting to listen to Brian Cashman at his press conference today. It sounds like the biggest reason for his return -- and this isn't really speculation, I asked him what the tipping point was -- was that he did not want people to say he had nothing to do with the winning and they went downhill under him.
“I’m a competitive person,” Cashman said in a press conference at Yankee Stadium this morning. “I don’t like what I see sometimes that shows up in the newspapers. I don’t like that some people forget that I’ve been here since 1986, that I was here when this franchise was no good or it wasn’t very good. That I was a part of the rebuilding process as an assistant GM for six years. … I was an assistant farm director when we got all the core that’s here today.”
Cashman, who signed a three-year contract Tuesday to remain Yankees GM through 2011, has been the GM since February 1998. This was the first year in which the Yankees failed to make the playoffs. He referenced a favorite Reggie Jackson quote that says: “When you have the bat in your hand, you can always change the story.”
By staying, Cashman still has the bat in his hands, so to speak.
“If I left, I wasn’t going to like the story that was going to be written,” Cashman said, “because it wasn’t going to be an accurate depiction of my time here. I’ve given my heart and my soul to this franchise, and they’ve given their heart and their soul back to me. I’d be nothing without what the Steinbrenners have done for this person at this table right now. But at the same time, I’m not going to let an inaccurate story stick, and the only way for me to change that is to change the story. So I’m staying to change the story.”
Hal Steinbrenner said to me a little bit ago that he was relieved and happy that Cashman is coming back. Both of them said there were some growing pains in the transition to Hal and Hank running the show instead of their father, George, but that things are running better now.
There is a lot to do this offseason with regards to improving the rotation and deciding what to do about their own free agents. Hal said: "No stone will be left unturned, I promise you that."
Cashman will bring scouts in to New York soon, likely next week, to go over things and decide what their priorities are and who could possibly fill those priorities. Later in the month, he'll go down to Tampa and meet with the Steinbrenners as well as perhaps a few other people (i.e. Randy Levine, Gene Michael, Damon Oppenheimer, Mark Newman).
I anticipate the Yankees being very active on the free agent market, though Cashman sounded skeptical about the idea of getting certain guys. He didn't specifically name CC Sabathia, but that's who I think he was talking about.
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Comments (12)
Kat,
I think he was talking about both CC and Tex. Two high profile targets who probably have designs on going elsewhere.
Ya, this press conference was really interesting to listen to. I figured all along Cash would want to return because the results of his building of the farm system still has not been seen at the major league level yet. But I think it is definitely starting to.
Its first results of having Cashman in control is the fact Yankee Pitching gave up 686 ER's this season. Which is the lowest amount since 2003. This is largely due to the fact we had a consistent bullpen. If we can get some help in that rotation (CC, Burnett, Lowe, anyone...) and bring back Pettitte and Mussina we can help make that even better. Hopefully Hughes can stay healthy and prove a little something to us as well.
Also, To make up for Giambi and Abreu's 190+ RBI's this year we really need to sign Teixeira.
McCarthy -
That's a nice stat - but runs were down across baseball to their lowest level in 10 years. Miguel Cabrera had the most HR in the AL with 37.
If any of you guys didn't hear the interview with Francessa and Cashman, go to WFAN.com and listen to it.
I don't like the CF exchange that took place. Cashman feels that Damon can handle CF.
AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John,
Cashman's not going to say Damon can't play CF. It's like when he said before signing Damon that he was ok with Bubba Crosby being the starting CF. Also if he said that Damon can't play CF then Mike's next question would be - so that means Abreu won't be back? Because Nady is still under contract.
In the end, it wouldn't shock me if Mike Cameron is the Yankees' starting CF in 2009.
John G: Cashman has always been the type to keep his plans to himself. He is not going to come out on the radio or TV and say "By gosh, we really are desperate for a CF, 1B and two starting pitchers and we'll do just about anything to get them". Believe me, he tries to play it like he believes they don't need anything but health but I think he has learned his lesson from this season and he realizes he messed up by passing on Johan and by sticking with Melky against his better judgment.
Thank you Gentlemen!
I feel better already. :-)
Please, for the love of Zeus, NO MORE GIAMBI!!!! If he's back on the team Im gonna go nuts!!! Plus, what the hell am I going to do with all these party hats and shirts with " No More Pavano / Giambi " printed on them?
Seriously, please no mas no mas!!
Chip, cant agree with you on Dunn, but Im a big Blaylock supporter. I think he can really help us at 1st. He's still young, has a good glove and was on FIRE at the end of this year. To keep him healthy, I would like to see the Yanks have him split time with Miranda next year. I think it would be a good productive tandem that could be at least .280...30 HR..100 RBI together, plus they wouldnt cost us much. We could then start to groom our young "Monster Montero" to play 1st. Romine and Cervelli would be our tandem 3 years from now with Montero at 1st. As much as I love Teix, there is a bright side to not signing him.
1st its gonna cost us PLENTY to bring him through, and we all love those back loaded contracts...right Giambi???
2nd it leaves 1st open for Montero in 2-3 years
3rd we keep our high draft picks by not signing Teix.
I would rather have Teix than not, but its not the end of the world. Question to you all...if we dont sign Teix and we go with say Blalock/Miranda....who bats 3rd?? If he's healthy, I suggest Matsui.
Damon
Jeter
Matsui
Arod
Blalock
Posada
Nady
Cano
Gardner/Jackson/Melk
Its keeps the lefty/righty balance, plus Matsui doesnt K a lot so he should be able to move runners over. Like always, his health is the key.
It is a comfort to hear that Cashman says he wants a first baseman to play first base. We haven't had that in so long that I was beginning to wonder if the institutional memory of that concept had waned... ;-)
Sweeny Murti made the point that if he's healthy Posada is going to catch, If he's not healthy enough to catch that doesn't mean he's going to play first base. The Yankees consider him a liability there and Jorge has given them zero indication that he's willing to work to improve that aspect of his game. More likely, Posada and Matsui would end up splitting time at DH next year with Posada becoming the full time DH in 2010.
I'm less concerned with 1st base than I am with CF. That said, we worry about injury history when discussing the pitchers like Sheets, you can't discount that when it comes to Blaylock. He's played in 130 games combined over the last two years. Even Nomar Garciaparra has played in more games than that. For that same reason I would not want to see Joe Crede here.
Would you (or St. Louis) trade Cano and Kennedy for Glaus and Adam Wainwright?
Here's a name I'll toss out there for CF - not sure what we would have to trade to get him, but could be interesting - Lastings Milledge.
The kid is insane, but he's 23 and has scary talent.
Toxically crazy people go to the bottom of the list, to be considered only when no sane people prove to be available. IMO.