Nov 7, 2023; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media during the MLB General Manager's Meetings at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: General Manager’s Meetings
(Bronx, NY) – New York Yankees fans are feeling frustrated, and as the offseason gets underway, they’re increasingly antsy. After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, many fans are hoping for change in a bid to improve.
But Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is on the defensive, and wants to remind people his team has routinely been in contention for the AL pennant over the past few years. “I think we’re pretty f—ing good, personally, and I’m proud of our people,” Cashman said while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
Some fans feel that the Yankees are not exactly on the right track, however. And many argue New York would benefit from a new voice in the front office, given Cashman has been GM since 1998. He’s not in agreement: “I’ve been here with the Yankees for a long time. Whether that’s a good thing for our fans or perceptions or not. I’m proud of our operations. I think we have a great group of baseball people.”
Digging deeper into last season’s performance, in which the Yankees finished 29th in overall hits, and scored the 6th fewest runs per game – Cashman thinks there was little that could be done from a management or team construction standpoint. In fact, he specifically signaled out the team’s lack of health in 2023 as a major concern. “If you don’t make [injuries] a significant reason…it is. You want to say it’s an excuse, it’s a fact.”
What about fans who feel the team is obsessed with analytics – to a fault – making the organization into a soulless computer program of sorts? Cashman responded when a reporter suggested the Yankees are “analytically-driven,” saying “no one is doing their deep dives, they’re just throwing bulls— and accusing us of being run analytically. To be [that] said we’re guided by analytics as a driver is a lie.”
One of the other things Yankees fans tend to criticize Cashman about are his trades. For example, Frankie Montas got hurt and failed to contribute after being picked up from Oakland A’s.
Going back further, the acquisitions of slugger Joey Gallo and pitcher Sonny Gray failed to pan out, and both players were ultimately sent elsewhere. Cashman indicated when people call those bad trades he “gets a kick” out of it. He continued by noting, “ince Joey Gallo’s left us, who’s picked him up? Two playoff teams. Sonny Gray, he’s currently in the competition for a Cy Young Award.”
Many on social media have speculated this tone means the Yankees may not be overly active this offseason, while counting on a return to health from their existing roster.
After all, the team did finish over .500 – and as Cashman says, the club is “pretty f—ing good.”
