Even in a strong economy the glue is good. Power always feeds the ego and as the Yankees’ general manager there is plenty of juice. And because Hal Steinbrenner has emerged as the leader of the Steinbrenner family over brother Hank, the working relationship is solid.
Nevertheless, Brian Cashman re-upped for three more yearsin The Bronx for reasons other than money, (a little more than $2 million per year) muscle and being tight with the boss: his legacy.
Yesterday at a Yankee Stadium press conference not attended by any Steinbrenner, an emotional Cashman stated the reasons he stayed instead of leaving for Seattle or Philadelphia, jobs he could have had.
“I don’t like what shows up in the newspapers. I don’t like that people forget that I have been here since 1986, that I was part of this franchise when it wasn’t very good,” Cashman said. “I was part of the rebuilding process as an assistant GM. I was the assistant GM under Gene Michael for four years and Bob Watson for two when we were rebuilding this thing. I was the assistant farm director when we had the core we have here today.
“Some people forget that and the story line that was going to be written if I left, I wouldn’t agree with. I wasn’t going to let that story be written. If I left the story that was going to be written wasn’t going to be accurate. I have given my heart and my soul to the franchise.
“I am not going to let an inaccurate story stick. The only way to change that is to change the story. I am not saying it’s going to be changed overnight, but I am saying it’s not going to be written inaccurately.”
So, with a weight off his chest, Cashman attempts to fix the myriad of problems facing the Yankees, who could be in the first year of a multi-season tailspin.
The early perception is that the rebuilding will be done without free agent stud CC Sabathia, who many in the organization believe doesn’t want to work in The Bronx. It is more likely the Yankees will chase free agent right-handed pitchers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe and seeing what the Royals want for right-hander Zack Greinke.
Cashman said the rotation is the top priority, but he also insists had the lineup produced better, especially in the clutch, the Yankees wouldn’t have missed the postseason for the first time since 1993.
He was noncommittal about whether he will bring back free agents Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu, his most patient hitters. Cashman said from what he heard from others is that 20-game winner Mike Mussina is leaning toward retirement.
Because Cashman has made expensive mistakes in signing Kei Igawa ($46 million) and Carl Pavano ($40 million), he acknowledged the Yankees need to improve their market evaluation.
“We have to make better decisions,” Cashman said. “We need to be right more than wrong.”
As for first base if Giambi leaves, Cashman’s first priority is to “get a first baseman to play first base” and have Jorge Posada return from surgery as the regular catcher. Free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira’s name is barely mentioned by Yankees decision-makers.