With the Miami Dolphins situation in the news, Brian Cashman was asked if he could recall a hazing incident that disturbed a Yankees player. The Yankees general manager quickly mentioned Orlando “El Duque’’ Hernandez.
“He was part of the rookie hazing,’’ Cashman said of “El Duque’’ not liking being part of the tradition in which rookies dress in outfits for a team plane ride. “I was on the plane and I don’t remember if he dressed up or didn’t dress up, but I know he was very upset. “
Informed by then-manager Joe Torre that El Duque was upset, Cashman spoke with the pitcher who escaped Cuba and was a 32-year-old rookie in 1998, his first year with the Yankees.
“I sat down and told him this is what [the veterans] do. You’re a rookie even though you’re an older rookie, and he said to me, ‘I was a clown for Castro for 31 years and I’m not going to be a clown for anyone else,’ ’’ Cashman recalled.
Cashman spoke Monday night at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Conn., about civility in baseball and before the event he listed steroid use and cheating as examples of not being civil. Asked if Alex Rodriguez’s saga was an example of not being civil, Cashman passed.
“To avoid a back page I am going to avoid answering that specifically,’’ Cashman said.
Cashman said if the Yankees lose Rodriguez due to a lengthy suspension, he would look outside the organization for a third baseman because he doesn’t believe the bats of Eduardo Nunez and Brendan Ryan translate to playing third. One option could be Eric Chavez, who has been in contact with the Yankees.
“I would be looking at alternatives at third base,” Cashman said. “If we want to put the best team we can on the field, we have to find somebody better than those two names. [Nunez] has options and he could be a utility player. I wouldn’t want to start him [at third]. Regardless how he feels about it, I would want to find someone that I feel more comfortable with. Power is a big proponent at that corner position and Brendan Ryan and Nunez aren’t power-providing guys. That’s why I would hope to do better than that.’’
According to Cashman, the final hurdle to Brian McCann’s five-year, $85 million contract is the language. McCann has passed his physical.
Ryan’s two-year deal for $5 million is an insurance policy the Yankees hope they don’t need. “He is definitely an insurance policy for Derek Jeter. We were looking for a shortstop if Derek has struggles again or needs time,’’ Cashman said of the slick-fielding, light-hitting Ryan, who played in 17 games for the Yankees after being acquired from Seattle on Sept. 10. “We really feel comfortable [Ryan] will catch the ball and make the routine plays.’’
The Yankees have non-tendered David Adams, Matt Daley and Jayson Nix.He batted .220 in pinstripes after hitting .192 in 87 games for the Mariners
Francisco Cervelli being out of options gives him a slight edge over Austin Romine and J.R. Murphy to be McCann’s backup after Chris Stewart was dealt Monday to the Pirates for a player to be named.
Cashman is scheduled to make his annual rappel down the side of the Landmark Building in Stamford early Sunday evening as part of the city’s kickoff to the Christmas season. He’ll be joined by Bobby Valentine.