Cashman Wants to Remain with Yankees
Photo from Reuters Pictures
While Brian Cashman remained mum about his future, the buzz smothering the Yankees New York Yankees universe yesterday focused on the GM telling the Steinbrenner family he wants to return.
An announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.
“Sooner than later,” Cashman said with a smile when asked about reaching a decision.
Hal Steinbrenner, who wants Cashman back, hasn’t made an offer. However, there are indications Cashman could tell Steinbrenner he wants to return and negotiate later.
With Hank Steinbrenner fading from the picture, Hal has been in touch with Cashman more than his older brother. Cashman and Hal work very well together and Hank hasn’t been involved in meetings with Hal and Cashman and his involvement has decreased.
Cashman is in the final leg of a three-year deal that paid him $5.4 million.
Friday, Cashman promised a quick decision when the season ended. Since yesterday’s game was rained out, the Yankees and Red Sox will end the regular season with a dual-gate doubleheader today.
Getting a GM in line is the first step in attempting to rebuild a team that underachieved this season and didn’t make the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.
Full Story: New York Post
Girardi Alienates New York Media
In his first season as Yankees manager Joe Girardi has managed to alienate the media covering the team. This is a dangerous situation for a guy who, depending on how the Bombers start 2008, could quickly find himself on a list of endangered managers.
When media types begin to derisively refer to you as “a clown,” you have problems.
Thursday night, Girardi lied to reporters before Yankees-Blue Jays, saying Mariano Rivera was sent home to take a routine, season-ending physical. The closer actually returned to New York to get an MRI on his right shoulder, a fact GM Brian Cashman confirmed to reporters over the telephone during the game.
Girardi exacerbated the situation during his postgame interview. He served up a coverup. Girardi rehashed his pregame spiel about Rivera telling him “his whole body is cranky.” No one bought what Girardi was selling. The reporters continued to probe. Girardi became indignant, saying: “I don’t care if you believe me.”
This uptight performance did not thrill Cashman. He privately apologized to a few scribes after Girardi bent the truth. On Friday, Girardi, undoubtedly prodded by the GM’s apology, offered a public one of his own (”I have shortcomings, I have things I still have to learn.”).
Maybe that’s a start, but Girardi better start caring more about media relations, and playing it straight, before it’s too late. Next season he enters the second year of a three-year deal. The organization - and to some extent the media - cut him slack along the road to the Yankees’ first dark October since 1993. If things go downhill fast in ‘08, Girardi will be a marked man - a scapegoat for impending failure.
Source: New York Daily News
