Yankees August 2019 Approval Poll: GM Brian Cashman

The last month of the regular season is underway, which means it’s time for our regularly scheduled Brian Cashman approval poll. The Yankees GM received a lot of criticism after the Bombers failed to make any significant trades leading up to the July 31 deadline. In fact, his approval rating plummeted from 91% in June all the way to 56% in July. We have been running this poll for several years now and that is the largest drop I can recall seeing.

Despite the Yankees’ lack of trades, they started August by winning eight games in seven days. Things got a little shaky on their trip to the west coast, but they ended the month strong with a 21-9 record. Players continued to hit the injured list (Edwin Encarnacion, Thairo Estrada, Gio Urshela, CC Sabathia, etc.), but fill-ins like Mike Tauchman and Mike Ford stepped up in their places.

For his part, Brian Cashman spent the month making minor moves to improve the team. There was a big focus on pitching depth as the Yankees acquired lefty Joe Mantiply from the Reds, claimed Ryan Dull off waivers from the Giants, signed LHP Tyler Lyons to a minor league deal, and claimed Cody Gearrin off of waivers from Seattle. Almost all of these pitchers have already donned pinstripes. The Yankees also traded infielder Ryan McBroom to the Royals for future considerations.

All things considered, Cashman was very active in August. At the very least, the Bombers can lean on all of these arms over the next few weeks to keep the guys needed during the postseason well-rested. While it would be nice if one of them turned out to be another Urshela-type, that isn’t necessary. The Yankees didn’t have to give up anything to acquire them, and they’re most helpful as warm bodies over the next few weeks.

Most Yankees fans judged the lack of moves at the trade deadline harshly, but I doubt anyone will still be upset if they go on to win the World Series. In the meantime, Cashman appeared to make the most of the new August waiver/trade rules. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see whether they paid off or if inaction in July proved detrimental in the end.

What do you think of Cashman’s August moves? Are you still upset about the deadline? Vote in the poll below and let us know in the comments section.