When August turned to September and the Yankees’ lead, once 10 games, was down to three, general manager Brian Cashman remained confident his club would win the AL East.
In the middle of the final month, the lead was one length. Still, Cashman predicted the Yankees would prevail.
Wednesday night the Yankees proved Cashman right. So, why was he so confident? After all, the Orioles proved they were capable of erasing a skinny deficit.
“I felt that way because of the assets we were running out there,’’ Cashman said Wednesday. “And the players we had coming off the DL, I believed in who they are.’’
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Nick Swisher is the life of any party. Heck, at times he is a one-man party. Yet, as the Yankees’ clubhouse celebration wound down in the middle of the room Wednesday night, Swisher observed from the fringe, a bottle of champagne in his hand.
On Swisher’s mind was that this was the beginning of a run to the World Series and three more celebrations. Or that this was his last champagne bath in pinstripes.
“I don’t know what will happen to me,’’ said Swisher, a free agent after the season. “It’s something I am enjoying every minute of.’’
Swisher, a productive player in four Yankees seasons and ultra popular with the team’s fans, finds the odds are strong that he will leave.
Industry experts believe he can command $15 million a year for three or four years. If that’s the price, the Yankees are likely out because they are going to get the 2014 payroll to $189 million and have to address Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, who can become free agents after 2013.
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Rightfully so, a lot of eyes will be on Rafael Soriano starting Sunday when the ALDS begins. Saving 42 of 46 games in the regular season as Mariano Rivera’s replacement certainly was a big reason the Yankees won the AL East. Now, the season that Rivera owns begins. A blown save leading to a loss is much larger than one in the middle of June.
“I don’t think anything is going to change,’’ said Soriano, who has appeared in six postseason games (all ALDS) and has a 0-1 record and 4.70 ERA. “I think it’s going to be the same game.’’
Soriano can opt out after the season and become a free agent. If he does, he will be gambling he can make more than the $14 million he is due next season if he stays.
Soriano said he hasn’t decided what he will do, but he is represented by the aggressive Scott Boras so free agency is a strong possibility, and the Yankees believe Rivera is returning next year to close.
“I can do the same I did last year (2011),’’ said Soriano, who worked the eighth inning in front of Rivera. “I’ll do it.’’