BOSTON – While Brian Cashman remained mum about his future, the buzz smothering the Yankees’ universe yesterday focused on the GM telling the Steinbrenner family he wants to return.
An announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.
“Sooner than later,” Cashman said with a smile when asked about reaching a decision.
Hal Steinbrenner, who wants Cashman back, hasn’t made an offer. However, there are indications Cashman could tell Steinbrenner he wants to return and negotiate later.
With Hank Steinbrenner fading from the picture, Hal has been in touch with Cashman more than his older brother. Cashman and Hal work very well together and Hank hasn’t been involved in meetings with Hal and Cashman and his involvement has decreased.
Cashman is in the final leg of a three-year deal that paid him $5.4 million.
Friday, Cashman promised a quick decision when the season ended. Since yesterday’s game was rained out, the Yankees and Red Sox will end the regular season with a dual-gate doubleheader today.
Getting a GM in line is the first step in attempting to rebuild a team that underachieved this season and didn’t make the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.
Improving the rotation is the No. 1 objective during the offseason and the Yankees will be players for free agent pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
As for their free agents, today could be the final games for Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte and Bobby Abreu. While Yankees want Pettitte (14-14) back for one year at a substantial reduction from the $16 million he earned this season, their position on Mussina is cloudy.
And there is a real possibility the 39-year-old Mussina, a borderline Hall of Famer, retires. His family wants him home and he said yesterday that chasing 300 wins would be a motivator. Since he estimated that would take three years – he takes 269 victories to the mound today against the Red Sox looking for his first 20-win season – Mussina may figure to shut it off.
“Can I do it for three more years?” asked Mussina, who will pitch the first game today against Daisuke Matsuzaka. “If I am in it for one, I am in it for three.”
His family wanting him home in Montoursville, Pa., isn’t the only indication Mussina may retire. He has taken boxes of balls and other mementos from his victories this year to give to family, friends and former coaches.
“Most of them are leaning toward me going home,” Mussina said. “My wife would have liked me to retire five years ago.”
If he doesn’t retire, Mussina said the Yankees would be his top choice, but not the only one. He said Detroit and Toronto aren’t outside of the travel circle he has drawn around Montoursville.