Top Five Best and Worst Moves of Brian Cashman's GM Career
by nyyrocks29 on Jul 30, 2010 1:40 PM EDT
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PrintBrian Cashman has done a terrific job as General Manager on the Yankees. Taking over in 1998, he has won 4 World Championships as GM of the Yankees and has made some great moves. He's also made some, to be kind, not so good ones. He's gotten a lot better over the years, making a lot better decisions, and learning to walk away when he doesn't get what he wants (ex. Johnny Damon, Cliff Lee, Dan Haren). He's made some great moves, and bad ones too. Here are the bad ones first.
5. Getting Enrique Wilson
Two months into the 2000 season the Yankees and Pirates made a change that sent Enrique Wilson to the Yankees in exchange for, guess who? Damaso Marte! Enrique ended up being, quite simply put, one of the worst players to ever put on a Yankees uniform. He had one of the lowest batting averages in team history while playing here, played bad defense, and basically could only do one thing, which was hit off Pedro Martinez. Now, thats a useful skill, but you'd like to be able to hit off some other pitchers as well, and Enrique, unfortunately, could not do that. The Yanks traded away someone who became one of the premier left handed pitchers in the game for a utility infielder who couldn't hit (Wilson Betemit like). I'd say this was pretty bad.
4. Trading Away Four Prospects for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte
Tough to blame Cash on this one. The Yankees were still in the race at the deadline and they were buyers. They got these guys to strengthen their team to go for a playoff push. It didn't work. But Nady ended up being a bust with his injury, and Marte had been injured most of the time. I give all the credit in the world to Marte for showing up in the World Series (good time to show up), but there's more to the season than that. At the very least, those prospects could have been traded for somebody else who would have helped more, or kept and developed to still be on the team today.
3. Trading For Jeff Weaver
If only Jeff had some of his brother Jered's talent. I remember Jeff Weaver for one pitch that cost the Yankees the World Series, although I haven't forgotten that he sucked other than that too. Should've hung on to Ted Lilly. He's doing pretty well now.
2. Signing Carl Pavano
He never played, was always hurt, and was more useless to the Yankees than the extinct, flightless bird called the Dodo was useless to society. And did you see the new mustache he's grown?
1. Signing of Kei Igawa
This has to be one of the worst signings, not only in Cashman's tenure, but of all time. He was part of the starting rotation for a month, got sent down, came up for one start in 2008, got bombed, and never sniffed the majors again. Right now he has an over 5 ERA pitching out of the AAA bullpen. And when it's all said and done the Yanks will have paid 46 million for the All-Time Scranton wins leader.
And now the five best ones
5. Signing Hideki Matsui Out of Japan
Godzilla was terrific for the Yankees since 2003, coming through in the clutch all the time, crushing left handed pitching, becoming Derek Jeter's favorite player, and becoming the first time DH to win WS MVP. He's out in LA not doing to well right now. But he did great for the Yanks, and thats all that matters right now.
4. Signing Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez
Whether this guy was 33, 38, 42, or 60 when the Yankees signed him, he ended up being the definition of gritty and gutty on the mound. He was also one of the best clutch pitchers NY has ever had. He also taught other pitchers something. Don't ever throw an eephus to Alex Rodriguez.
El Duque was one of my favorite pitchers, and I love what he did in NY.
3. All Moves of 2009
I just decided to bunch these all together, since they were all so important to the 2009 Championship. CC, A.J., Teixeira, and Swisher all had huge impacts on the Yanks.
Swisher in particular was one of the best moves that Brian Cashman ever made. Trading Wilson Betemit (who I hated so much) for Nick Swisher was basically the trade, with a couple of prospects thrown in. Swish was an All-Star, and right now is on tract for 100 RBI, a .300 BA, 30 HR out of the #2 hole. And plus, the guy is awesome.
Tex is a huge upgrade over Giambi, especially defensively, and CC and A.J. have given the Yanks a nice 1-2 punch, and an ace that they haven't had since Roger Clemens.
2. Signing MIke Mussina in 2001
Mussina is my favorite starting pitcher of all time, and won more games during any other pitcher in the AL during his time with the Yanks. Moose pitched, all the time. Even if he was hurt, he still went out and pitched. He was the definition of durability. He came up huge in a couple playoff games that directly led to the Yanks reaching the World Series. And in 2008 he had the best year of his career and won 20 games. It's a shame he still isn't pitching now (because he's definitely capable) and that he didn't win a championship, but he definitely did his job while in pinstripes, and in my mind was the #1 Free Agent signing Cashman has had.
1. Trading for Alex Rodriguez
Cashman traded Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later (still don't know who it is) for the best player in the game, and A-Rod has been just that- one of the best players in the game, since coming to the Yankees. 2 MVPs, 3 Silver Sluggers, 30+ HR and 100+ RBI in every season. He carried the Yankees to the playoffs in 2007 with one of the best seasons a Yankee has had since Mickey Mantle's Triple Crown year, and last year he carried the Yankees to a championship with a super-human, super clutch, Centaurian postseason. He's under contract for 7 more seasons and is on track to break Barry Bonds' home run record, Hank Aaron's RBI record, Lou Gehrig's Grand Slam record, and the Runs Scored record. He's one of the best players of all time, and this was the best trade Brian Cashman ever made.
This is all opinion, of course. I thought it would be fun seeing as Cashman is about to make another move here at the deadline, it got me thinking about everything else he has done.
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Nice list.
I agree on a lot of them.
I still think letting BW go was the worst Yankees move of my lifetime.
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
by Gelatin on Jul 30, 2010 2:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think I would place Matsui signing before El Duque
Matsui was a Yankee for longer and contributed more than Orlando throughout the entirety of his tenure in New York. Both great signings, though.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 2:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I disagree, El Duque was money in the playoffs
You look up big game pitcher, his picture should be next to it. I love Matsui, but El Duque was the man.
Valid points
Looking back through the statistics, I would have to agree. It’s hard to believe he was a Yankee so long ago.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
El Duque was the man for more playoff years,
he was basically what Cliff Lee was for the Phillies on multiple occasions. Unhittable.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 31, 2010 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Joaquin Arias was one of the PTBNL I think with the ARDO trade.
More reason that its #1…the Cash was choosing between Arias and one Robinson Cano as the PTBNL.
Go New York Go!
Arias is "sorta" blocked by Kinsler
but, Kinsler is not the picture of the world’s healthiest player. Kinsler is one of those who should have an asterisk on his baseball card — "One of the best 2nd basemen in the game.* *When he is healthy. To date his healthiest year was 2009 when he played in 144 games. Right now he’s on the DL, expected back in about a week I think. I thank my lucky stars that I managed not to draft him on any of my fantasy teams (not that I did any better – all of my teams have either Utley or Pedroia as my starter LOL).
Arias is definitely a serviceable temporary plug in all around the infield, but trading him for Cano was, well, Priceless.
how many of those signings before 2009
were more influenced by George and the Tampa contingent than Cashman’s actual desire to sign them?
That’s my big question. I love everything he’s done since the younger Steinbrenner’s gave him more control than George did.
Also, Matsui was also the first Japanese-born player to win the World Series MVP as well as the first full-time DH to win it in a WS (as in he was the DH for the entirety of the WS).
I totally disagree on lumping Pavano and Weaver in Cashman’s worst moves. Those were good moves at the time, even though they didn’t work out. Pavano was highly sought after, and Weaver had come off back to back 200 IP above average seasons.
I refuse to blame a GM for things that only look bad in hindsight.
Also, what did the Yanks give up for Nady and Marte? It’s not like Nady seemed to be a huge injury risk.
To substitute on the bad side, I would suggest: trading Vazquez and prospects for Randy Johnson and then extending RJ; signing Jason Giambi to a contract 2 or 3 years too long; letting Pettitte walk after 2003.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
completely agree
on everything you said, although giambi did have a very solid 2008 campaign. trading for randy johnson was a huge mistake but the big unit was alwas desired by george.
letting pettitte walk was also dumb, BUT, he was a type A free agent which was used on an 18 year old Philip Hughes. Now they’re both in the same rotation.
I believe in the Church of Baseball
by Frank Campagnola on Jul 30, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
yea..those 3 are much worse
tho Giambi was young and basically a LH Pujols at the time, so even that one is hindsight.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 30, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Well that can be said for most bad signings
that they look good at first, but only look bad in hindsight.
Take Giambi for example. He was one of the best players in baseball, coming fresh off an MVP campaign in 2000. He was highly sought after too wasn’t he? Can’t blame him for getting hurt and declining a tremendous amount. He looked like he was headed for the Hall of Fame. You say you would substitute that in as a bad signing, but the way he had played for Oakland (and his first year in NY), I doubt anyone could have predicted what happened with the Yanks. And he wasn’t awful with the Yankees. He didn’t live up to his contract, but he wasn’t awful like Weaver ended up being, or Pavano did.
As for Pavano, he was terribly inconsistent before his lights out season with the Marlins in 2004. I don’t think that one good year should be a reason to sign someone for as much as the Yankees signed him, especially seeing as Pavano was moving from the NL to the AL East (an AL East where Boston had Ortiz and Manny in their prime). I disagreed with that one from the start, and it worked out worse than even I expected. Plus, I hate the guy, so I had to put him in.
You may be right about Nady and Marte, although Olendorf is actually doing pretty well (if you exclude the record) as a starter for the Pirates. Not great, but he may have been a serviceable reliever for the Yanks.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
Not saying the Yankees shouldn’t have signed him, but they knew what they were paying for in terms of his defense, his steroid use, and his likely decline. Giambi also really wanted to be a Yankee (remember him crying at his press conference, “Dad, it’s not #7 but we got the pinstripes…”). I didn’t think they needed to go 7 years for him at the time, and I feel even more strongly about it now.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Makes sense
Although Nobody knew at the time he was using steroids or that he would decline as much as he did. They knew about his defense though.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
His agent struck a clause from the contract that is standard language to void the deal if found to be using roids. That’s a big clue.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
oh I didn't know that
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
S’ok. It came out when he admitted without admitting.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Some other pretty bad moves that maybe belong on the list
1. 1999: Traded Mike Lowell to the Florida Marlins.
For me, this is the worst move because by 2000, Lowell was already a MUCH more valuable than Scott Brosius, and he might have swung the 2001, 2003, and 2007 WS (or cost us the 2003 ALCS, to be fair).
2. 2003: Traded Jeff Weaver to the Dodgers for Kevin Brown. Weaver was actually better and cheaper than Brown the next two years, and even if he cost us 2003 might have given us 2004, which is easily worth losing a WS.
3. The Rondell White and Tony Womack signings were very bad, though we got out from under both within a year.
4. Signing and then releasing Carlos Pena in 2006.
5. Anything involving Sidney Ponson.
I know
I only put the top five. Now that you mention it, Brown was much worse than Jeff Weaver. I completely forgot how the Yankees even acquired Brown.
Lowell I thought about, but I think Lowell’s recent numbers were impacted a lot by that stupid wall in LF. Would he have been the same player in Yankee Stadium? I don’t know. But with Brocious, Aaron Boone, and A-Rod I can hardly complain with the way that Cashman has handled 3B.
And without Brocious the Yanks lose the 2001 WS a lot sooner. Wasn’t he the hero that tied the game in Game 5?
Ponson sucks. I agree with that, but he came in to be a fifth starter and never stuck around long enough to hurt the team too much.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
Brocious?
Can someone please look up a name every once in a while, so this doesn’t become Pinhead Alley?
by HilltopPark on Jul 30, 2010 4:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Brosius
sorry
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
Brosius*
And yes, his 2-run dinger tied Game 5 off of Kim. Unforgettable moment in arguably the greatest homestand in World Series history.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 4:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You're missing everything Lowell did with the Marlins in his prime
Lowell’s WAR 2000-2003 = 14.2
Starting Yankee 3B WAR 2000-2003 = 8.7
And yes, maybe we still lose in 2001 with Lowell, considering the pitching we were up against. And maybe we lose to Boston in 2003 without Aaron Boone’s heroics.
But maybe we also do better in 2003 with an upgrade at 3B. And maybe the A-Rod deal still gets done (Lowell and Soriano for A-Rod), or maybe Lowell sticks around and swings some of those series from 2005-2007 where A-Rod came up short. And of course, we might also cost our hated rivals both of their WS wins (2004 maybe, and 2007 where Lowell was a beast in all three rounds).
by PortlandYankee on Jul 30, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
To amend my own post
I should probably take back the 2005-2007 A-Rod claims, since Lowell was aided by the Monster and those were 2 of A-Rod’s best seasons. But the point about Lowell being a big upgrade at least from 2000-2003 stands.
by PortlandYankee on Jul 30, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
also
not signing lee or halliday—-was very disappointments and is costing yankees——-vasquez aint that hot—-
How True
Now it looks like there’s a good chance the Yankees are going to have to go up against Lee somewhere along the line in the playoffs. We’ll see how it works out next week when the Yankees come down here to The Oven in Arlington. Lee hasn’t had much run support since he got to Texas so the W’s aren’t flowing, but if he were in NY I’m sure he would be 4-0 since then.
Speaking of which, totally unrelated, I sure hope that now that Ryan/Greenberg own the Rangers, Ryan’s popularity down here gets Arlington (or Dallas) to build them a new stadium WITH A ROOF! Next week will be one of the very rare Yankees series since I’m down here that I’m not going to a game or 3. It’s just too hot. Dallas isn’t like New York where the high temp for the day is around 2-3:00, and by 7:00 it’s usually around 90 or below. Here the temp doesn’t reach its high til about 5:00, and it is still in the triple digits by game time. Right now, 4:49 AM, it is already 89 in my area (Carrollton-a suburb literally 1 block away from Dallas proper). I don’t know how they play out there. George W sure showed brains when he was in the group that owned the Rangers when they built The Ballpark…sheesh.
Also, in terms of good moves (to prove I'm not all negative)
Staying away from Johan Santana, which allowed us to keep Phil Hughes.
Breaking news: another Cashman move to judge
According to Joel Sherman, Yanks are on the verge of getting Lance Berkman. No word on who we’re giving up.
by long time listener on Jul 30, 2010 5:02 PM EDT reply actions
Based on the reliability of these sources so far this season
I ain’t believing a word until it happens.
If it does, Montero, Joba, and Romine had better still be on this team.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
I agree on both counts
I’m not penciling him into the lineup until the deal is done. And I hope we aren’t giving up any of those guys.
by long time listener on Jul 30, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Buster Olney and Ken Rosenthal are also reporting this
I hope it’s wrong, but it looks legit
Photoshop Gallery: http://img704.imageshack.us/g/ggbg.jpg/
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 30, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you kidding?
Joba or Montero will be gone if we trade for Berkman….
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 5:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
don't trust it
these so called “sources” are 0-3 with the Yankees so far this season.
And yes, Joba, Montero, or Romine will probably be gone if this happens. I just hope they aren’t.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
I don't know
Latest news says the Yanks won’t be moving any “major prospects,” and won’t be picking up his $15 million 2011 option.
by long time listener on Jul 30, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Trading for a rental player...
If Montero or Joba is gone I’m going to hit the roof
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 5:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't get the Cashman hate
He is one of the best GM’s in baseball (unless you’re a Bill Smith fan) and since he got control after 2005 his moves have been even better.
Sure, it’s nice to have a $220mil budget, but the plan can go awry if you make horrible decisions and are not efficient (looking at you, Omar Minaya).
Cashman is smart with the money and usually comes out on top in trades.
Berkman trade looks to be another winner.
RU RAH RAH
RU RAH RAH
I'll give you a winner....
Matt Capps for Wilson Ramos (basically Austin Romine (maybe a little lighter on the offense))
Section 203 Row 15 Seat 1
Twins just making moves to make moves?
I wish the Twins GM was in one of my money fantasy leagues,lol.
and a little heavier on the defense
throws out 45% of runners on his minor league career.
I believe in the Church of Baseball
by Frank Campagnola on Jul 30, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I cant agree with much of the worst moves list
Pavano was the right move and it seems like his Yankees tenure was jinxed, he is back to being a solid pitcher. Kevin Brown and RJ were moves that I always hated. Looking back, taking Sheffield over Vlad might have been a pretty big mistake too. The Nady/Marte deal was solid when it was made. Like the Pavano deal, you cant predict injuries. You did get the Igawa one right, what the hell was he thinking? Oh, Jose Contreras deserves a mention too. Where is NJ too?
As far as the best moves, those are moves that any GM with money would make. I like to think moves like Swisher(I know he was mentioned) Aaron Small, Al Leiter and other stop gap little moves are usually the moves that make a break getting to the playoffs.
Contreras
I love how Cashman nutted over that guy
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, Epstein nutted over him as well
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
steinbrenner
didnt he want sheff over vlad? i remember cash nearly having a done deal with vlad
RU RAH RAH
RU RAH RAH
Had to love Sheff until he turned on Torre
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 30, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
NJ hasn't done anything
But he was cheap (only 5 million) and it’s only one year. I felt that some of the other moves were ahead of it, although I did hate the NJ move too.
You can’t predict injuries, but you can’t predict ineffectiveness either, usually. Contreras was supposed to be a #1 pitcher in the major leagues. With any bad signing you can say, “I couldn’t predict this would happen”. I picked the five moves I thought that worked out worst for the Yankees.
I completely forgot about Kevin Brown- otherwise he would have been up there over the Nady/Marte deal.
Sheff was solid while he was here. I can hardly say that was a bad move.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
Pre 2005/Post 2005
It’s hard to fault Cashman for some of the moves made prior to 2005 before he got real control over the organization. For example, it’s pretty well known that he wanted Vlad over Sheffield, that he didn’t want Jaret Wright or Kenny Lofton, and that he didn’t want to deal for Randy Johnson. In each case he was overruled either by someone in the Tampa branch of the organization who had George’s ear at the time or by George himself (as in the Vlad/Sheffield deal).
I thought of a couple deals I didn’t see anyone else mention:
BAD – Mike Lowell for Ed Yarnall and 2 pitchers who never made the majors. The Yankees had just re-signed Scott Brosius, so 3b was not open for Lowell, but they could have tried him at a different position or saved him to trade for a need later on.
GOOD – Hideki Irabu for Ted Lilly and Jake Westbrook. Although the Yankees never made much use of either Lilly or Westbrook, they managed to get 2 pitchers who have had really solid major league careers for a problem. Westbrook was used as a piece to get David Justice, who we would not have won the World Series without in 2000.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jul 31, 2010 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree on Pavano
He just had horrible luck with injuries during his Yankee tenure. And he didn’t have a reputation for being fragile (:cough:NickJohnson:cough:).
I’m really loving the Berkman deal, BTW. Kearns, I dunno. Seems like a decent player, but did we really need him? Hope the Indians opt for $$, not any prospects.
--
"No left turn unstoned"
(road sign created by the Merry Pranksters)
I completely forgot about Sheffield over Guerrero. I wanted Guerrero so badly.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Whenever Big Stein was completely left out of things, whoever was then left in charge always seemed to do a better job. I wonder how many of Cash’s “bad moves” are actually more of Stein forcing him to do it.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 31, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Cash is off the hook for Pavano
He is pretty much the ace of the Twins right now, he’s going deep into games, finishing a few, and he wasn’t awful in 2009 with Cleveland/Twins either. He’s actually becoming an ace again.
By the way…why in the world did Cash get Kearns? Isn’t that Thames’ job…outfielder that is right-handed? It doesn’t make sense…
Yankees in baseball, Giants in football and Devils in hockey. It's that simple. I have no off-season.
Kearns is the 2010 Hinske perhaps
Why not just bring Hinske himself back?
by YankeesJets on Jul 30, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
trying to "de-Cliff Lee suck" the lineup.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 31, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Thames can't play defense
Kearns is probably just an extra outfielder that can actually play a decent outfield, so we don’t have to see anymore of Thames adventures in the outfield.
Don’t worry, he’s still a candidate for the 3B job with his brilliant defensive performance there against Cleveland!!!
I wish the Yanks had gone back after Hinske again. He’s always in the series lol. He’d guarantee another trip.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
So the Braves are going to the WS?
That would be a shocker if Hinske got another team to the WS,lol
by YankeesJets on Jul 30, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Braves are really good this year
Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they got there, and it would just confirm my belief that Hinske is the luckiest player in baseball!
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
Kearns can play the OF and field well
Thames is merely a DH. You can play both of them against a tough LH pitcher now, so actually its an excellent move.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 31, 2010 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Thames is going nowhere as well I'd think
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 31, 2010 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions
We shall see
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Jul 31, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Way Over-rated GM
Cashman dumped El Duque after he came back from injury in 2004, went 8-2 to finish the years and pitched a lot for time for a guy come of a 1.5 year DL. Wheer was the loylty? The guy also went on to have a few good years with the Mets. Cashman also signed Jared Wright who was almost as useless as Pavano and this was a guy who was on the DL 12 times before he came here. What about Nick Johnson for Matsui – good one! Abreu would have had two more good years at a third the money… The list goes on… You don;t have to be a genius to sign Arod you just need $300 million… Hey, didn’t he sign Kevin Brown – YIKES! The list goes on – you can say I am not a fan. Swisher was his best move in years.
Way Over-rated GM w/better typing
Cashman dumped El Duque after he came back from injury in 2004, went 8-2 to finish the years and pitched a lot of times for a guy coming off a 1.5 year DL. Where was the loyalty to a guy who was a fan fave and killer in the post-season.? The guy also went on to have a few good years with the Mets. Cashman also signed Jared Wright who was almost as useless as Pavano and this was a guy who was on the DL 12 times before he came here. What about Nick Johnson for Matsui – a real good one! Abreu would have had two more good years at a third the money… The list goes on… You don;t have to be a genius to sign Arod you just need $300 million… Hey, didn’t he sign Kevin Brown – YIKES! The list goes on – you can say I am not a fan. Swisher was his best move in years.
Cash was right with dumping Duque and Abreu at the time
I was never a believer in NJ Part II, I agree with you on that one. As far as Brown goes, Cashman didnt sign him, he traded Weaver for him, which was something he had to do. Weaver was not going to be able to come back to the Yankees after that 03 season and WS. Jared Wright really needs to be on that list of bad moves too.
thanks for posting this
I see someone brought up the Randy Johnson trade, but still debatable since the Boss had his ear. Was the Brosius signing a Cash move? If so, it would have been on my top five list. Huge Bro fan, retired too early in my opinion An honarable mention or even inclusion in the top five worst is not signing Mark Prior after drafting him. All the others are money.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Jul 31, 2010 8:07 PM EDT reply actions
I probably wouldnt include Prior
for the simple fact that his career went down the shitter with all the injuries
well we have Wood now
just need a time machine and a strong sedative….
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Jul 31, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Did Cash trade for Chad Curtis?
If he did…under-appreciated contributor on a championship team
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Jul 31, 2010 9:07 PM EDT reply actions
Chad Curtis...
I think we got him midway through the 1997 season when Bob Watson was still running things. Cashman became GM right after the end of the 97 season, so his first round of moves were Eric Milton for Chuck Knoblauch, Kenny Rogers for Scott Brosius and the free agent acquisitions of Chili Davis, Darren Holmes and El Duque.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Aug 1, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I just looked up the Brosius deal
which was November 1997 when Watson was still there apparently (see my post below). Knoblauch! How quickly we forget. Definitely a contributor for those three championship teams he played on, but wow what a tragic end.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 2, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know how to really take the info provided by Torre's book
but the bit about Josh Phelps and Doug Mientkiewicz being better players than Bernie Williams will last as a forever taint on Cashman’s legacy in my eyes.
I thought Torre's book was great
Sad to see him go the way he did
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Aug 1, 2010 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions
not to mention signing Kenny Lofton
which was the early stage of Bernie’s awkward departure. Torre’s book was terrific. LMAO at Randy Johnson being one of the most self conscious pitchers he’s ever managed.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 3, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
??
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 4, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
ohhhh nevermind
you must be referring to how RJ only wanted to pitch to flash…..which really helped our lineup tremendously.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 4, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
maybe it's not top five
but you have to find a way to mention turning Wilson Betemit into Nick Swisher last year.
Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!
by Anthony Masons Haircut on Aug 1, 2010 1:00 PM EDT reply actions
Enrique Wilson the worst? We should have been so lucky.
It’s not like Damaso Marte went out and won Cy Young awards. It was just a reliever for a backup infielder.
I can’t agree with the “it only looks bad in hindsight” excuse for the big name signing s that didn’t pan out. Isn’t scouting and player projection supposed to be part of general managing? The part that separates Cashman from Steinbrenner and his Tampa boobocracy?
What I find interesting is that the worst moves almost all involve taking on overrated talent, not giving away young stars, which was the problem in the 1980s. I don’t know if that reflects more on bad free agent signings, or overvaluing Yankee prospects in trades.
The worst acquisitions, regardless of cost, are Irabu, Igawa, Pavano, Brown, and probably jeff Weaver- all acquired pitchers who didn’t pan out. (Arguably the acquisition of Nady who didn’t put up large numbers and had his arm fall off could be #5).
Jason Giambi ranked as one of the better acquisitions in a recent NY Times article that analysed this question, based on WAR over his career as a Yankee.
by designatedquitter on Aug 2, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions
Irabu was a Watson/Steinbrenner move I believe
but they did get Homer Bush out of the deal!! They gave up cash, Ruben Rivera, and Rafael Medina to the Padres. The source I read said that was April 97 – which makes sense because I remember the concern around Irabu essentially not having a spring training that year which was a big concern to many critics of the deal. We wasn’t terrible in 98, but that team was so stacked it didn’t matter.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 2, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
*He* wasn't terrible in 98.....
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 2, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
someone who ended up being a premier reliever though
That would be like right now giving up Joba Chamberlain for someone like Jed Lowrie or Cody Ransom.
And Wilson started for part of his time here (in 2004 I think for a little while) and he played a lot more than he should have as a backup
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"-Kobe Bryant
Bob Watson
While Cash won three straight rings early in his tenure (and then last year obviously) – you gotta love what Watson did as far as laying the foundation in 2 1/2 years as GM (Oct. 95 – Feb. 98). Thats a short tenure. For example:
November 20, 1995 traded Mike DeJean and Steve Shoemaker to the Colorado Rockies for Joe Girardi
December 7, 1995 traded Sterling Hitchcock and Russ Davis to the Seattle Mariners for Tino Martinez, Jeff Nelson and Jim Mecir
December 28, 1995 traded Blaise Kozeniewski to the Chicago White Sox for Tim Raines
August 23, 1996 traded Gerald Williams and Bob Wickman to the Milwaukee Brewers for Graeme Lloyd, Ricky Bones and Pat Listach
August 30, 1996 traded Chris Corn to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Charlie Hayes
November 7, 1997 traded Kenny Rogers to the Oakland Athletics for Scott Brosius
talk about immediate impact guys
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 2, 2010 10:22 AM EDT reply actions
Bob Watson
Yeah, overall he did a great job as Yankee GM. I guess he got frustrated with the Tampa division constantly being in Steinbrenner’s ear, undermining him which led to his demise.
A couple more nice moves he made…
- Signing Mike Stanton as a free agent in 97. Watson realized what he had in Mariano and passed on bringing back John Wetteland. Instead he signed a guy with closer experience who he knew he could turn to if Mariano faltered. What he got was a pitcher who ended up being lights out in big games.
- Signing David Wells as a free agent, als in 97. Wells really didn’t have great numbers at that point but Watson recognized that he’d always pitched well in Yankee Stadium and in big spots.
A couple of bad ones…
- Signing Kenny Rogers. This one kind of falls in the Carl Pavano category as there was no way for Watson to know that he couldn’t handle the New York stage. He fixed this one by turning Rogers into Scott Brosius.
- Trading Tony Armas Jr. for Mike Stanley. Armas never turned into anything great, but after acquiring him from the Yankees, the Red Sox were able to use him as part of their deal for Pedro Martinez. I’m pretty sure this is the last trade the Yankees and Red Sox made.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Aug 2, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
If you read the book about the ‘96 Yanks, you’d know that Watson didn’t know that much about the Martinez trade before it happened. Also there were signs that Rogers couldn’t handle NY that were much more noticeable than Pavano.
Did you know Joe Morgan thinks Cano will win a batting title one day?
ugh.....Rogers
I’ll never forget game 4 in the ‘96 series when he started and we got down 6-0 early and were stifled by Denny Neagle of all people. Rogers gave up a jack to McGriff and literally shrugged his shoulders to Girardi while waiting for a new ball from him. Jim Leyritz saved his ass that game. I’m sure you all were as aggravated as I was at his junk ball, fist pumping antics he pulled with Detroit in the 2006 playoffs.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Aug 3, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I have been thinking. (Please get back to a safe distance). The best moves:
The best moves are, as they say, the ones you don’t make:
1. Hanging on to Robinson Cano. He was what the other team wanted in countless deals 4 or 5 years ago.
2. The same for Phil Hughes.
3. Getting Johnny Damon/ Letting Johnny Damon go. Signing up the hated enemy was not particularly popular, as a lot of people thought his best days were behind him, and letting the beloved warhorse go wasn’t so well received in many quarters either.
4. The same with Matsui.
5. The Moose.
by designatedquitter on Aug 3, 2010 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think we’ll look back at the almost Cano moves the way we look back at the almost Mariano moves.
The D-backs could have had Cano as a toss-in in the RJ deal, and I believe there was another time when Cano was offered but the other team preferred someone else. Scouting is an art, not a science…
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Lousy Trade's
Cash you must be losing it,,,,,,,,,,It was Adam Dunn we needed ,,,,,,,,,Bad deal’s so far…..Make the Frigg’in trade …..and send them JOBA the JOKE……………….
I’d throw in letting Andy Pettitte get away to Houston after 2003, particularly in the light of the way the rotation looked by the end of 2004. I know Andy was hurt that year, but IIRC it came on a check swing while he was batting, which wouldn’t have been an issue in the AL.
They were nowhere near as aggressive as they should have been. Boston offered him a fourth year. The Yankees didn’t.
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I would disagree
Pettitte leaving turned into picks, one which turned into Hughes if Im not mistaken. I was against Pettitte leaving but I totaly understand why they let him go.
You would be correct
Now the Yankees have Phil AND Andy
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Aug 10, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You omitted the fact that the late Boss was calling the shots then
For example, Cashman wanted badly to sign Vladimir Guerrero in ’04 but Steinbrenner was vehement about signing Gary Sheffield and personally inked him to a deal.
Sheffield was arguably just as good at the time
Just much older than Vlad. Sheffield posted an unprecedented 7.8 WAR in 2003. I can’t exactly blame Steinbrenner there… .434 wOBA as well.
Would I have gone after Vlad? Probably.. but Sheffield wasn’t exactly a failure in the Bronx. The injury in 2006 was annoying, though.
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
by Chris McKeown on Aug 11, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Five best and worst
Nothing to complain about here, although I suspect your enthusiasm for A-Rod would be a little dampened by his .250 BA and 18 HRs in mid-August. Not to mention Pavano’s 15 wins! I’d take him over AJ in a minute.You are perfectly right on about Swisher! As long as you included Jeff Weaver, I’m happy, although Farnsworth wasn’t far behind. You might have found room for Randy Johnson and Kevin Brown as well. The story on Weaver is more Torre’s than Cash’s anyway. What was Joe thinking putting Weaver into that game 4 against the Marlins? The guy was so bad he hadn’t been used in about six weeks, and it’s the WS for Krissake! And Joe never did take much heat for that, despite making Grady Little’s leaving Pedro in the game in ’03 look like genius by comparison.
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