Hank says Cashman's role will be reduced...Thank God.

[Gom]

Quote from Hank Steinbrenner:

 

“I’m going to be reviewing the entire organization,” Hank Steinbrenner told the AP in Tampa today. “We’re going to do everything we can to win next year. We’re not going to wait. Do everything we can that makes sense. We’re going to fix what we have to fix. We’re going to have to look at what has been done wrong over the last five years, which I’ve had one year to try and figure out. Clearly, a lot of mistakes were made.”

 

In what could be a move that drives Brian Cashman out the door, Steinbrenner is looking at setting up an advisory group to help run the team.

 

“If Brian stays on as GM, that doesn’t mean he won’t be the No. 1 guy,” Steinbrenner said. “But the fact is, the more opinions the better. I think that’s probably the best way. It worked in the 90’s, and it can work again.”

[Soxfan1]

So they want some sort of Congress under Cashman? I wonder how much longer he stands for this.

[jacksonianmarch]

Damn, this isnt good

[a700hitter]

Damn' date=' this isnt good[/quote']You'll be singing a different tune if they sign Sabbathia, Texiera and Sheets.

[Gom]

Damn' date=' this isnt good[/quote']

This is the best news to hit Yankeedom in years.

So they want some sort of Congress under Cashman? I wonder how much longer he stands for this.

Enjoy Seattle. Try beating the Angels, douchebag. You'll just be another in a long line of Yankee GMs who faded into obscurity after you leave the Yankees.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am just concerned that if Cashman leaves, we'll get a guy like Bill Bavasi, who will further gut the farm system and put us in a really bad long term scenario. I dont really care who we get, per se. So long as its someone who has both a short and long term vision. With the way franchises are managed today, it has become nearly impossible to win on the basis of picking up FAs. You need to develop as well.

[jacksonianmarch]

from Nomaas.org.

 

I'm writing on a personal level because my views on Hank's comments do not necessarily reflect the belief of each NoMaas staff member. Thus, instead of writing a collective opinion as we so often do, I wanted to offer and identify my own thoughts out of respect for the rest of the staff.

 

Since I read Hank's diatribe Friday morning, I've felt very discouraged. There's so many elements of his statement which bother me. The first is his reference to how things worked in the 1990s. Yes, the Yankees were incredibly successful in the late 90s. However, what Hank doesn't seem to realize is that this success was created because his father was kicked out of baseball in 1990. Without owner interference, the baseball minds were actually allowed to make decisions. And what did they do? They rebuilt the farm system. They made smart trades. They spent wisely. When George was reinstated in 1993, he still let the baseball people do their thing. The Yankees proceeded to rip off three straight championships because the organization was allowed to build a foundation of talent and efficiency.

 

It was at the turn of the century when it seemed that The Boss and his entourage once again became involved in the daily operations of the team. And what did we see? We saw financial waste. We saw the farm system gutted. We saw horrible acquisitions and terrible signings. We saw the General Manager become just one of many advisors, as opposed to being the decision-maker. And we haven't seen a championship since 2000. Does anyone notice a pattern?

 

1980s/1st half of the 90s: George is hands on. Yankees bad.

mid-90s to 2000: George is hands off. Yankees good.

2000-now: George/Tampa Faction is hands on. Yankees bad.

 

The last thing this organization needs is a return to the dysfunction of a George-type regime -- an administration of quick fixes, Tampa vs. NY factions, lack of patience, an owner thinking he has a superior baseball mind, and a minimized GM.

 

That brings us to the topic of General Manager. A couple years ago, many Yankee fans seemed to view Brian Cashman as the savior. He was seen as the white knight who could rescue our favorite team from the wrath of outdated and out-of-touch consultants. Now many of those same fans are elated about Hank's comments and want Cashman pushed out the door.

 

Here's the thing about some Yankees fans. They just don't get it. I don't mean to be derogatory, but I believe their passion sometimes robs them of their insight and logic. Let me explain.

 

Brian Cashman was named General Manager in 1998. However, for much of his tenure, he has been GM in title only. Many of the Yankee moves over the years were spearheaded by other members of the organization. He did not have the authority that other GMs have. He was simply one of many advisors to the Steinbrenners. Do you seriously think Cashman would have advocated signings like Jaret Wright, whose physical was so bad that the terms of his contract had to be altered? Come on, you're kidding yourself if you think so. Why do you think "autonomy" was such a big issue during Cashman's last contract negotiation with the Yankees? Could it be because signings like Carl Pavano or trades for Randy Johnson were made above him? Absolutely. I'd be willing to bet on it.

 

You could make a solid argument that 2006 was Cashman's first "official" year as General Manager. We immediately saw the stress on player development and fiscal sanity. We heard the outline of a philosophy that could bring the Yankees back to the glory days of the late 1990s.

 

And now the Yankees have a bad year in 2008 and fans are calling for Cashman's head. Hank Steinbrenner now seems to envision a reduced role for the General Manager position. Let us remember that it took six years after George was banished for the Yankees to become consistent winners. It wasn't an immediate change.

 

When Cashman was given newfound authority in 2006, he inherited an organization that was a total mess -- a joke of a farm system, horrible contracts, and a warped hierarchy of decision-making. We've seen major improvements in all areas.

 

But, have we? Cashman publicly states that Alex Rodriguez will not return to the Yankees if he opts out the deal he signed with Texas. Alex opts out. He then signs a 10-year deal with the Yankees which will keep him in the Bronx until he's 85 years old. Do you think that was a deal which Cashman orchestrated? Word is bond. That is obviously a deal that was made above Cashman.

 

To me, this is just simple logic. Fans don't realize that the Yankees don't make pure baseball decisions. They make moves based on PR. They make moves based on business. The amount of politics which take place in the front office must be ridiculous.

 

It shocked me that Santana deal didn't go through and it actually gave me faith that Hank Steinbrenner "got it." Yes, Santana is a great pitcher. He wouldn't have mattered this season with the problems of the offense, but that's besides the point. There is a bigger concept at play here. The Yankees dynasty was achieved because the baseball people were able to implement a system of sustainability. If you're trying to implement a similar model, it doesn't make sense to make a blockbuster trade involving lots of prospects when you're just starting to build a breeding ground of talent on the farm. You need to establish a system and see what you actually have down there before gutting it. If you don't, you're facilitating a return to the era of waste and inefficiency.

 

So basically, what I'm saying is that we, spoiled Yankee fans, need to have patience. Big deal the Yankees had a lousy season. Who cares? Give Cashman time and authority to unwind the misguided and poor decisions of the past several years. It took years to recoup from the damage that George inflicted in the 80s. It will take time to do the same now.

 

My fear is that even if Cashman stays, we'll continue to see him being overruled and the errors of the past will be made again. The impatience of fans and ownership will become too dominant. If I'm Cashman and I get a sense that this type of nonsense will continue, I'm probably taking a big check from another organization who buys into my vision -- a vision of sustainability.

 

I agree with a lot of what he is saying. We are just repeating the errors of the past and people like Gom are just too f***ing stupid to notice.

[Gom]

I agree with a lot of what he is saying. We are just repeating the errors of the past and people like Gom are just too f***ing stupid to notice.

The sad thing is you're too f***ing stupid and stubborn to realize that while the plan is good, he's NOT QUALIFIED to do it.

 

Gene Michael did EXACTLY what you want. When George was suspended, he built up the team from the ground up with good drafts and good trades. God, I can't believe you're this stupid. What Casman is doing isn't a novel idea. He is just trying to copy EXACTLY what Gene Michael did. He's just not good at it. This is why I advocate Michael. My problem isn't with the plan. It's Michael's plan. It's with Cashman, who is not qualified to do it.

 

For once in your sorry life, open your eyes. This isn't Cashman's plan. It's Michael's. Why not bring back the guy who not only started it, but won 4 championships because of it?

 

To take a page from your posting....

 

jacko is dumb.

[TheKilo]

But wait, there's more!

 

“Suffice to say, there’s not going to be any more, on my part, of trying to keep everybody happy. If I want somebody, I’m going to go after him,” Steinbrenner told The Record by phone this afternoon.

 

Immediately after the season, Steinbrenner plans to review the entire organization. “Just as my dad would have,” he said, adding that George Steinbrenner has equally been dismayed by the Yankees’ fourth-place standing. “It’s been a very disappointing year for both of us.

 

“Even besides injuries, certain players didn’t perform. Certain things didn’t get done,” Steinbrenner said. “It was somewhat the result of things that had been done over the last five years, and now I plan on fixing them.

 

“The Mets did it with Santana, and I came damn close to doing it with Santana,” Steinbrenner said of the trade he advocated last winter with Minnesota. “You look at it on a player-to-player basis, and you look at the market.”

 

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/yankees/Steinbrenner_says_hell_call_the_shots_from_now_on.html

[Gom]

If he had done this before the start of this season, we'd be in the thick of the race Kilo.

 

Cashman is not qualified to run this team.

[jacksonianmarch]

The sad thing is you're too f***ing stupid and stubborn to realize that while the plan is good, he's NOT QUALIFIED to do it.

 

Gene Michael did EXACTLY what you want. When George was suspended, he built up the team from the ground up with good drafts and good trades. God, I can't believe you're this stupid. What Casman is doing isn't a novel idea. He is just trying to copy EXACTLY what Gene Michael did. He's just not good at it. This is why I advocate Michael. My problem isn't with the plan. It's Michael's plan. It's with Cashman, who is not qualified to do it.

 

For once in your sorry life, open your eyes. This isn't Cashman's plan. It's Michael's. Why not bring back the guy who not only started it, but won 4 championships because of it?

 

To take a page from your posting....

 

jacko is dumb.

 

 

Its good that your brother got all the family brains. You are sucking Gene Michaels dick like he is a f***ing god. Um, Gom, Cashman is doing EXACTLY what Michael did. You are just trying to forget that it took from 1990-1994 for the team to get good

[jacksonianmarch]

Now, one thing I might see Hank doing, is actually committing to both the long and short term. He said he was going to nab EVERYONE in the scouting realm this past yr and it probably burns him that we whiffed on Cole and Inoa. Now, I would embrace a Steinny meddling IF he were to rampantly sign everyone from his drafts and the top guys from the INTL forum.

[Gom]

Its good that your brother got all the family brains. You are sucking Gene Michaels dick like he is a f***ing god. Um' date=' Gom, Cashman is doing EXACTLY what Michael did. You are just trying to forget that it took from 1990-1994 for the team to get good[/quote']

Lets see....

Michael: Jeter, Bernie, Posada, Pettitte, Mo [by the way...none of them needed any kind of surgery]

Cashman: Nothing, except advancing the medical careers of surgeons.

 

Michael: 4 WS wins

Cashman: Nothing.

 

Me supporting Michael: Stupid...

You supporting Cashman: Genius.

 

You've confirmed what I already knew. Doctors are by and large, good at their careers, and idiots at everything else.

 

By the way....my brother hates Cashman more than I do. His view is....well, it worked in the early 90's. It did. Michael ran the show, but he delegated authority and leaned on his staff. Theo Epstein likes to have other people around him that offer him views that he might not see. He then makes the decisions.

 

Have you ever asked yourself why Bill James and Voros McCracken work for the Sox, and we have no one like them? Cashman is a tinpot dictator who put this season on his shoulders, and failed as badly as any GM the Yankees have ever had. The fact that he still has a job is a miracle in and of itself.

 

Just because things don't work doesn't mean I don't support an issue. Even though most layman will see Girardi as a mistake, I watched the games, at least until mid-August, and I liked his managerial style. If given the same quality of players that Torre had been given, he would have been just fine.

 

I didn't want Torre here after 2004, and three years later, most of NY agreed with me. I don't want Cashman here, and after 3 more years of not making the playoffs [which would happen if he continued to have the autonomy he had], NY would once again agree with me.

[26 to 6]

Michael: 4 WS wins

Cashman: Nothing.

Umm...technically it's:

Michael: 0

Watson: 1

Cashman: 3

 

....But I get your point.

[Gom]

You can't give Cashman credit for any of the years. He came on and did s***.

 

Let's just say that Hughes, Kennedy, and all the other guys the Yankees have already drafted make it big. That would be to Cashman's credit, not the new GM.

[26 to 6]

Now you're just being foolish. Just because he wasn't responsible for the nucleus of those teams doesnt mean he doesnt deserve credit. In 1999 it was him that made the Clemens deal, some of his key acquisitions in 2000 more than contributed to our championship season. I mean I could go on with more examples but you get my point. All I'm saying is how come credit can't be extended throughout the organization, and not just to one person.

[Gom]

He did well with the Justice deal and the Clemens deal. I'll give credit where it's due.

 

Time for him to go.

[yankees228]

How about the key pieces to those championship teams that the Yankees did acquire with Cashman as the GM?

[Gom]

Like Torre, Cashman made some good moves early on. However, for whatever reason, he just can't do it anymore.

 

Cashman has never built anything. I'll give him credit for the good moves he made in Justice, Clemens....however, he has been just about average. For every good move, I can give you a bad one.

 

It's time for someone who is capable to rebuild the Yankees.

 

Tell me this, Cashman lovers....if we go out and sign CC and Tex and Sheets and everyone else...exactly how is this different than what you guys are complaining about? Aren't you guys complaining that the Yankees didn't build a farm system, and signed over-priced players, etc. You guys are making it seem like a novel idea, of building from within. Hello....that's the goal of every team.

 

It's true....you can't have it both ways YOUR way. You can't get good draft position AND sign Type A free agents. So, if you advocate the Yankees spending money this off-season....really, how good is Cashman's implementation of a plan? We need to spend money to get above Toronto. Look at Tampa or the Red Sox. They don't need a damn thing. They are just better run as a team.

 

Both sides of this issue want the same thing. The Yankees to be built from both within and from outside. A core of players drafted by us while being supplemented by good acquisitions. What we want is the return of the late 90's.

 

I don't think this idiot Cashman is the right man for the job. He drafts terribly, as seen by every other player he drafts having to have season-ending surgery, he can't sign pitchers for s***, and he can't make a trade in the last 5 or 6 years in which the other team is dumping salary. He's been outmanuevered by Theo Esptein in every way possible since 2002. Bring in Stick Michael, or Beane, or Shuerholz...anybody but this guy.

 

Cashman has had no impact every day players drafted, no starting pitcher drafted who's pitched a full season, and turned down one of the best pitchers in baseball in his prime for a borderline-5th starter and one of the worst offensive CF's the Yankees have had in their history. I ask of you to realize that not everything that wears pinstripes is gold. It's just pinstriped s*** sometimes.

 

I have my views, and they are mainly about instant gratification. However, since 2006, Cashman has been terrible. It's time for him to go and to be replaced by someone who can restore this team to greatness.

 

Let me give you an example of the Santana idiocy. You have Wang, Chamberlain, Pettitte, and Moose. Now, if you were to have gotten Santana, that's three pitchers who will be there for a while. Wang, Chamberlain and Santana. Pettitte and Moose will be gone after a season or two. So...what's the point of stockpiling 15 SP when you will only have room for two? Cashman is playing franchise mode on MLB on his playstation. The real baseball world doesn't work this way.

 

He is poor at talent evaluation. He is poor at signing pitchers. He is poor at drafting. He is unwilling to trade prospects for veterans unless he is basically eating salary.

 

I said it before, even here. The day the Yankees lose George Steinbrenner will be a sad day in Yankee history. The old boss is just an old man who doesn't really take part in running this team. Our only hope right now is a loud-mouthed boor in Hank Steinbrenner. Sadly, he's the best we got.

 

He put this season on Cashman's shoulders. It should cost him his neck. Hank's instincts told him to go get Santana. His instincts on Cashman were correct as well. I just hope he follows through on it. Cashman should be unceremoniously dumpled. Let's see a WINNING team go grab him. When the only team looking for your services is Seattle, you didn't do much in your old job. Especially if you were the GM of the most storied franchise in baseball history.

[rician blast]

Sounds to me like there will be some big-time signings by the Yankees next year.

 

A $220m payroll is not out of the question.

[jacksonianmarch]

Something you dont understand, as usual, is the fact that those deals were makeable because we had an absolutely loaded farm system. Once it dried up, we started buying players in trades. Now that teams arent willing to do that as much, the farm idea needs to be first and foremost in the minds of the brass.

[Gom]

I agree that they need a good farm system, but Cashman is not qualified to do it, as he ran what they had into the ground.

[jacksonianmarch]

once again, you do not know what you are talking about.

[Gom]

Jacko, how can you possibly even think that he's doing a good job? He's botched everything so far. He got lucky in the supplemental draft with Joba, but Hughes has been injuried, Kennedy is useless, and every top pitcher he has needs TJ surgery. Plus, he can't sign free agent pitchers, and can't make a trade that isn't a salary dump. The Yankees finish 4th under his watch, and you want to give this guy an extension and full control??????

 

Here's an idea that never crossed your small mind. How about keeping with the plan [which is Gene Michaels' by the way...and getting somebody who can implement it better]? You're walking around like Cashman is God's gift to General Managing. He's below average. We, as Yankee fans, and for the money that a Yankee GM commands, deserve better than this clown.

[Mr Crunchy]

if the yanks sign cc tex and sheets theyre looking at 60m a year for these 3 alone.

then jetsey at 19M arod at 27m cano?matsui at 12?M rivera at 16M....

and on and on it goes.

id love to see sabbathia land in the bronx in a nice 5/100M deal.

that fat prick has thrown 1000 innings in 4 years and come october hes toast.

this year it will be easier on him in the nl but even still,he will need to show up to beat the mets,phills or the dodgers...

i dont consider the cubs,f*** the cubs f*** their fans and f*** lou pinella

[26 to 6]

Ken Davidoff compiled a nice little list of moves that Cashman was responsible for, had some/little influence on, and had nothing to do with. Figured I would share, as I found it pretty interesting.

 

http://blogs.trb.com/sports/baseball/blog/2008/09/a_brian_cashman_audit_and_ther.html

 

Cashman All The Way:

Bobby Abreu, Alfredo Aceves, Armando Benitez, Wilson Betemit, Kevin Brown, Brian Bruney, Shawn Chacon, Tony Clark, Roger Clemens (both times) Johnny Damon, Kyle Farnsworth, Glenallen Hill, Kei Igawa, David Justice, Al Leiter, Cory Lidle, Hideki Matsui (re-signing in November 2005), Damaso Marte, Tino Martinez (his return), Jose Molina, Mike Mussina (re-signing in November 2006), Xavier Nady, Denny Neagle, Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte (his return), Sidney Ponson (both times), Darrell Rasner, Mariano Rivera (re-signing in November 2007), Alex Rodriguez (the 2004 trade), Ivan Rodriguez, Javier Vazquez, Robin Ventura, Jose Vizcaino, Bernie Williams (re-signing in December 2005), Jeff Weaver

 

His Player, Not His Price:

Jason Giambi, Sterling Hitchcock (re-signing in December 2001), Steve Karsay, Jorge Posada (re-signing in November 2007), Rondell White, Bernie Williams (re-signing in November 1998)

 

Above Cashman:

Aaron Boone, Jose Contreras, Dwight Gooden (return in 2000), Chris Hammond, Orlando Hernandez, Randy Johnson, Travis Lee, Jim Leyritz (re-signing in November 1999), Jon Lieber, Esteban Loaiza, Kenny Lofton, Raul Mondesi, Alex Rodriguez (re-signing in November 2007), Gary Sheffield, Ruben Sierra (return in June 2003), Darryl Strawberry (his re-signing in November 1998), David Wells (return in December 2001), Jaret Wright

[Gom]

You know what's funny when you look at that list? George did about as good as Cashman did. Doesn't say much for the GM, does it?

 

TERRIBLE NEWS FOR YANKEE FANS UPDATE

 

Supposedly, the Yankees want Cashman back. If so, there will be nine open season tickets next year. The Yankees will never win again with Cashman as GM.

Read the link here.

[jacksonianmarch]

fairweather, s***** fan you are. Go root for the Mutts

[Gom]

fairweather' date=' s***** fan you are. Go root for the Mutts[/quote']

At least they are in the playoff hunt. I will be rooting for the Mets if they make it.

 

Seems like I'll be rooting for the Mets a lot in October, if Cashman remains.

 

You know what's funny? Epstein did a better job in ONE draft [2005] than Cashman has in 10 YEARS. Don't give me the ******** of bad draft position. In 2004, the Red Sox won the World Series.

 

Now the word is that he doesn't want to bring back Abreu. It's not like he learns from his mistakes. Old and good is better than young and bad. I'd rather have Abreu back for one year, plug in Matsui/Posada at 1st base rather than ever seeing Melky back in the OF. Smart, take your hitter who's a solid .290-300, 15-20 HR hitter with good speed and a .400 OBP and get rid of him. Especially since he WANTS to come back. He's probably stupid enough to want to pencil in Hughes and Kennedy in the rotation like last year. Every respected baseball person said the Yankees were depending on two untested pitchers and it would come back and bite them. Everyone but Cashman....and you STILL support him.

 

Instead, the word is that he wants to let Abreu go. Guess you'd feel comfortable with an OF of Damon, Nady, and Matsui. I'm sure those guys will play 150 games apiece.

 

Sadly, like most sheep, you take criticism of your views as a personal affront. Probably explains why you are a doctor. You can't stand being wrong, and when you talk to your patients, they believe you. That low self-esteem problem just won't go away, will it? If they only knew of your ignorance here, they'd get a second opinion.

[ARod2212]

At least they are in the playoff hunt.

And if the Yankees were in the National League, they'd be in the playoff hunt. In fact, if they had 20 games against the Braves, Marlins and Nationals, they'd be leading the NL East.

 

Even ignoring the competition, they'd be leading the NL West, and a game back in the AL Central. You realize that 4 of the 5 teams clinched finishing over .500 in the AL East?

 

We're in a tough division, had a lot of injuries, and had some unlucky bounces. The overreaction to missing the playoffs for one season in embarrassing. Stop looking for a scapegoat.