What will Cashman do?

by John Amato on Jul 11, 2007 3:03 AM EDT in News Comment 48 comments

Anaconda has been posting about the state of the Yanks and I just wanted to focus on our GM for a minute. We're all aware of the easy schedule the Yanks have for the month of July so if the Yanks do get off well after the break then what will Cashman do? He'll be forced to make some moves in order to give this team a chance at winning, but at what cost?

His job is on the line and he can't just sit back either way the wind blows. If the Yanks falter out the gate will he trade off some players and wait till '08? I doubt it. Not if he's not here to put back the pieces. If they do die an early playoff death which is the likely scenario then what does he do with the last two months of the season and fifty thousand pissed off fans coming out to the park everyday? (If they show) Cheering on ARod to crack the sixty HR mark isn't going to be nearly enough. I know I'm rambling a bit, but you get my point.

The Yanks need to go 16-5 or 15-6 in their next 21 games to even appear to have an outside chance at a playoff spot so I guess we'll know soon enough.

All Star notes:

ESPN's Baseball Tonight got booted by MLB from broadcasting in SF because they broke an embargo and announced the All-Star rosters before the end of a selection show on TBS.

Peter Gammons did his usual suck up job to Barry Bonds about the HR record. I happen to like Gammons, but this is getting ridiculous. In Peter's teary eyes, poor Barry was so sensitive at the big all star bash so maybe we should cut him some slack and celebrate his overtaking the HR record. Peter, maybe he's acting more like a human being because he's retiring and won't have to deal with...people?

Karl Ravech, predicted Ichiro will hit .400...Ummm...OK

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Well

My thoughts are this. If we get to the playoffs does he stay? I often wonder if the Boss will let him loose if the team turns it around in the second half. I personally find this highly unlikely, and hope that doesn't happen.

But if Assman makes a trade or two, and the Yanks end up in the playoffs. Will people think that the moves he made was the difference? Will people say that he should stay?

The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint. Reggie Jackson

by yanksfan77 on Jul 11, 2007 7:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, think about this

I don't think the Yanks are going to make a big move. So in essence, we'll be with the same team in the second half, plus Hughes (hopefully).

Say they go on a tear and make the playoffs. Cashman had been ripped for the team's poor play in the first half. But what if they tear it up in the second half? That would make anyone who turned on Cashman after April 2 look rather silly, no?

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jul 11, 2007 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes and No

Yes cause Cashman put the players on the field. No because he didn't make them play better. The fact still remains that cashman put together a team that had a lot of holes. That doesn't change if they go on a tear.

The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint. Reggie Jackson

by yanksfan77 on Jul 11, 2007 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

He also didn't make them play like shit in the first half.

It appears that the Yankees have a lot of holes. But please try to follow, as I've written and deleted this numerous times because I was confusing myself.

They played like shit in the first half, so everyone says the team is flawed and blames Cashman.

If they play like the players they are in the second half and win the division, what does that mean? Realistically, it's going to be nearly the same team in the second half. But they would have to play better.

So you're going to still blame Cashman for putting together a team with holes, even if they play like a team without holes in the second half?

What if you reversed it. What if they played excellent in the first half and shit the bed in the second? We'd be calling for Cashman's head at the end of the season. But if they suck in the first half and win in the second, few people other than pfisty, ronster, and mg are going to want him out.

My point is, I think, that you have to let the season play out if you jumped off the Cashman bandwagon after April 2nd. You can't judge a team like the Yankees after half a season.

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jul 11, 2007 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

That was a little confusing. But my point was that win or lose, Cashman still isn't that great of a GM. We need someone who is a better judge of talent and a little more frugal. Yes he did bolster the farm system, which is a good thing. But some of the moves he's made weren't that helpful. I am not saying Cashman is as bad as Steve Phillips, but he isn't as good as Stick.

We can argue this till we are blue in the face. But if they fail to make the playoffs who is the first to go? And if we do make the playoffs is it right to say that Cashman should stay?

The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint. Reggie Jackson

by yanksfan77 on Jul 11, 2007 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think

that Cashman is on nearly that short a leash.
This team's expected record based on runs scored vs runs allowed calls for a .576 winning percentage. If they only played to that mark in the second half they'd get to 87 wins. With a little luck they should reach 90 wins. I don't think you can fire a GM who's had such bad luck (the entire rotation on the DL in April, surprising regressions by Cano, Damon, Abreu, an injury to Giambi), who has restocked the farm system, and gets to 90+ wins.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 11, 2007 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another

instance where overanalyzing the numbers

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Jul 11, 2007 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

There have been a few moves that I've disagreed with in the last 3 years (Minky, Farnsworth, Igawa to a less extent).
And I'm trying to look at this from a big picture point of view. And when I look around the majors I see a few guys I would want to have (Beane, Ryan, Schuerholtz), a handful I would not want (Stoneman, Richardi, Sabhean, Bowden, Bavasi, Theo), and a slew of guys who I'm ok with but can see flaws in (Cash, Dombrowski, Minaya, Jockey, etc).
And if the team does alright by major league standards (90 wins and a run at the wild card) with the farm system still in tack, I don't think you fire Cashman.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 11, 2007 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No what?

You are saying the Yanks should be at .576 because of their RS vs RA. You like to always throw out nubers. I just pointed out that it is overanalyzing the numbers. Bottom line is that they are not .576, they are below .500. Who cares what the numbers say they should be when they are not that.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Jul 11, 2007 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

there was more to your first response, because all that showed up here was "another instance where overanalyzing the numbers".

I toss these numbers out there because people who are smarter than me have looked at all the seasons of baseball that have ever been played and figured out these correlations. They have played .494 ball, but for them to finish with a record that out of line with expectations would go down as a legendary underperformance.

I'm not just wishing the Yankees to a great winning percentage. I'm arguing (and have argued and will continue to argue) that Cashman put together a decent team. This is a team that should contend for a playoff spot, and I think they will.
And if they contend for a spot, I don't think he will get fired.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 11, 2007 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right on

"You tell 'em I'm coming! And Hell's coming with me you hear! Hell's coming with me!"

Saddle up.

by matthaggs on Jul 12, 2007 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with all your points you just made. My point was sometimes on this site, too many statistics are thrown around when the bottom line, its about wins and losses.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Jul 12, 2007 7:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't wasn't too long ago

that Cash was being praised for his offseason dealings, especially in the Sheffield and Johnson deals.. Everyone was talking about how strong the farm system was getting, how deep the bullpen was, how the Yankees had finally begun to do business the right way again...

Now the players aren't holding up their end of the bargain, and suddenly Cashman needs to go?

I'm not a huge Cash fan, but it seems kind of backwards.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 11, 2007 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I imagine that the D-backs would

be thrilled with a bag of balls for the Unit right about now.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Jul 11, 2007 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my thoughts are

the only moves are; Farnswoth for some AA roster fillers, Abreu goes for a little better (Dodgers?)
with theses guys gone the "kids" can play a little (Sardinha?,Britton)

As for Cashman, I feel that no matter what the team does he will be back. Torre on the other hand is outie. And Mattingly is no shoo in for the job.

only my thoughts.

If it came down to my daughter being a whore or a Sox fan, I'd pick whore.

by beantownbosoxh8er on Jul 11, 2007 8:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Peter Gammons

Has anyone else noticed that he cannot talk correctly since the surgery? The poor guy sounds horrible. I like Gammons and he is a smart baseball guy, but I think he needs to retire.

The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint. Reggie Jackson

by yanksfan77 on Jul 11, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What I don't think everyone understands

To be a good GM, you need good people whispering in your ear. GMs themselves need not be impeccable judges of talent, but the people around them need to be. A GMs responsibilities extend far beyond constructing the roster.

And please, no more of this "we could have gotten more for Sheff and Randy" bullshit. No one knows what teams were willing to pay for Sheff. And with Randy, we had no choice; it was either Arizona, maybe San Diego (but we don't know how serious that was) or nothing. And as it turns out, I'm glad we at least got something for him, rather than have him linger on our DL all year.

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jul 11, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Cash will stay

and I think Torre will stay too. This isn't a defense of either guy but rather a guess at what's going on above them:

The old Boss would have dumped them both, but now the old Boss is just an old Boss.

His sons like Cashman, and everyone in the org loves Torre (mostly everyone). Torre will probably be able to stay until he doesn't want to do it anymore.

With the new Stadium opening I think they will stick with the stability of Cashman and Torre. While there may be greater potential reward in changing the regime, there is also greater risk, and quite frankly I don't see anyone working under the Boss who has the nuts to stick his neck out and make a change that big. And I also don't have much confidence in their decision making ability. Except for Stick, but who knows how much juice he has.

by matthaggs on Jul 11, 2007 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cash is staying

I'm not saying he deserves another year, and I agree with MG and a lot of the other anti Cash posts. But the front office is already in turmoil, George is in bad health (it's sad to see reporters that know better talk about wanting the old Boss back) and Cash has been getting praise for the depth of prospects. I can't see one of George's sons, Trost, etc deciding to further rip apart the command structure by getting rid of Cashman.

If I'm right about that I don't see a desperate/dumb move being made by Cashman if the team is in the race.

If the Yankees come out of the break poorly, I'd like to see the Yankees sell. Could the Yankees trade Alex to the Angels?

by collink on Jul 11, 2007 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My original post

got eaten by the internet so I wrote a much smaller post...Cashman has done a great job in the minors, but is terrible signing free agents...The pitching staff falls on his shoulders...I don't see anyone else around to replace him unless Brian Sabean from SF gets fired and they hire him. WHo would they get to replace him?

The Manky move has really hurt more than he would admit. I'm still burnt out. I was up till like three am yesterday...lol

by John Amato on Jul 11, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please

tell me you are joking about Sabean becoming the GM ever here. He makes Cashman look like Beane.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Jul 11, 2007 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?

You act like he just gave a guy like Barry Zito the largest contract ever for a pitcher... oh wait, he did do that.

We'll just til he needs TJ surgery and then pounce!

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 11, 2007 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's on my friggin

fantasy team... KILLING ME.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 11, 2007 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm dead

in the water anyway... time start gear up the FFB draft.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 11, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

second half

After the disastrous trip west, we finished pretty strong against Minn and the Angels. WE got the next thre weeks against sub 500 teams, and yes, I know we are under 500 also! BUT, Sox went 13-14 in June and are 4-4 in July so far. I think they lost momentum thinking a big 10 game lead means its over. Its not. I still think we can win the East. The back end of their pitching staff is good, but Schill is questionable, after DL, we are finally eating Wake's lunch and dinner, Papi is nicked up and Manny isn't being Manny at the plate! Youk and Lowell are keeping this team alive, but for the last 6 weeks, they are a 500 team. We just gotta win, especially on the road and our next three weeks are huge. After that, we should have Hughes, Rasner, Minky and maybe Giambi back. I don't see any trades that would be better than our guys coming off DL. Except for a major league back up catcher...Can Cairo catch?

by mickey07 on Jul 11, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cairo should not catch, ?I'm afraid Giambi is not

coming back.

But Hughes, Karstens, Desalvo etc are. We should keep the young arms we think can be great, trader others for what you can get, prospects, utility players.

Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical(Yogi)

by Cbeck3 on Jul 11, 2007 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

contract extension for Alex, now?

ESPN is reporting the Yankees may begin negotiations with Alex for an extension during the season contrary to the Yankees standing practice of no in season contract talks.

That could be good news, but they should do it for Jorge and Mo too then.

by collink on Jul 11, 2007 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this according to

"sources.."

i hope it's true, but let's take it all with a grain of salt.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 11, 2007 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It couldn't hurt

if they could extend him, with the money they get from Texas they'll be able to outbid everybody.
I'll believe it when I see it.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 11, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hope though

Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical(Yogi)

by Cbeck3 on Jul 11, 2007 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this fan wants resolution

I just want this decided already, if Alex wants to stay give him an extension if he wants to go trade him.

by collink on Jul 11, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be an idiot, MG

I'd be ecstatic to see A-Rod stay.

Beating a dead horse is your specialty.

by anaconda on Jul 11, 2007 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grow up, already

Just let it go.

by anaconda on Jul 11, 2007 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

An extension

will keep Texas on the hook for the next three years...I get sick every time I see Vlad...What a one-two punch that would have been if king George wasn't fixated on Sheff.

by John Amato on Jul 11, 2007 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i would have been sick

if a was angel fan watching the derby the other night.. with his back? violent swing after violent swing... makes me cringe.

he would've looked good in pinstripes.. but who knows.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 11, 2007 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN says

The Yanks want to renegotiate quickly...no opting out or they will drop out all together. I guess we'll see if ARod wants to stay in NY

by John Amato on Jul 12, 2007 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ARod and our other FAs

Since when do the Yankees renegotiate in mid season. They have not done it in the past and won't do it with ARod. There is nothing for them to gain. Re-doing the contract in the middle of his best year only helps his agent. And if they can't meet ARods demands, do you think they will announce in August it is up to him to opt out? No way. The Yanks still have Mo and Jorge to take care of, and they told Mo that they would handle him at year end. That would break the trust if they open their checkbook for ARod now. And you know we have to sign Jorge at whatever the price who is also having his best year. We'll hear all the politically correct BS until year end...thats when the real Moneyball begins.

by mickey07 on Jul 12, 2007 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the players understand special treatment

for Arod. They may not like it, but they understand.

Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical(Yogi)

by Cbeck3 on Jul 12, 2007 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

although

looks like boras is gonna milk this thing til the end. if he sticks to his guns and doesn't negotiate during the season it is going to make this whole situation worse going into september (and maybe oct.)..

boras is good for no one. not his clients, not the game. he gets them the money, but puts them in a bad situation in the meantime. by saying alex just needs to focus on playing right now, he is just shining a white hot spotlight on the contract situation. it's out there, so to not negotiate in good faith makes it more of a distraction. it is all about money for him. he cares nothing for the game of baseball. i wish a-rod would just kick him to the curb and associate himself with some one who at least shares a little of his passion for the game.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jul 12, 2007 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I share the sentiment

Boras is a wanker.

Honestly, wouldn't the best way to get rid of guys like him would be to instate a salary cap? I used to laugh at that idea. In fact, it probably seems ridiculous after a Yankees fan POV. But after the last several off seasons, the contracts just seem to be getting stupider and stupider ie Barry Zito. This offseason will be even worse, if Ichiro is a $20 million a year guy & guys like Zambrano want more than Zito.

This isn't good for the long term health of the game. It fucks up parity and make fans pay more for a product that isn't even marginally better, but is rather the same or worse.

by Walk On The Wild Side on Jul 12, 2007 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except it will never happen

After 1994, there was no chance of a salary cap ever happening.

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jul 13, 2007 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Though

I'd like to see a salary 'floor' or a requirement that revenue sharing money be spent on the ball club.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 13, 2007 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not?

Pardon my ignorance, in '94 I was still watching Barney and reading about Clifford the Red Dog so I missed the details and nuances of that great year in baseball history.

Am I the only person who thinks these contracts are fucking ridiculous? Maybe its happening all of a sudden because I am just starting to wake up about the real world, money matters, due to the bitch that is paying for college.

Why can't there be a salary cap? Owners? Players Union? Every other sport has one. When one player can make as much as an entire team, won't it eventually get to the point where someone has to do something?

by Walk On The Wild Side on Jul 13, 2007 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't

really think anyone is really disagreeing with you. They are just pointing out that it won't happen.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Jul 13, 2007 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players Union

They gained all the power in '94. They won, the owners caved, and there will never be a cap.

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jul 13, 2007 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You really

have to be kidding me. No body benefits from Boras? Thats funny, because every player is lining up for him to be their agent. You may hate him, I may hate him, and so may others. But if you were a player and you needed an agent, that guy will get you the most money. If the players weren't happy, he wouldn't be in demand like he is.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Jul 12, 2007 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs