It was unexpected to see Yankees general manager Brian Cashman outside the Busch Stadium visiting dugout on Friday as his struggling team practiced batting in preparation for this weekend’s series opener against the Cardinals. Cashman hasn’t traveled on the road much in years.
Fascinating.
After a 22-32 run that left the Yankees in third place in the AL East standings and only one game ahead of them for the final AL wild-card berth, is it time for a team meeting?
“No,” Cashman answered. Everyone has spoken what has to be said.
Alright, so who bears responsibility for his prolonged period of poor performance, which caused the Yankees to drop from a commanding lead in the AL East standings to vying for a postseason berth with 40 games remaining following Friday?
Cashman clears up his boss.
“The best he can,” Cashman said when asked to rate Aaron Boone’s handling of things.
Cashman went on to rant about how his manager must handle challenging questions from the media each day before and after games, knowing that his club is receiving negative feedback from irate fans.
It’s not easy, and I’ve told Aaron Boone numerous times how he handles the pre- and post-game routine. I’m not sure how any manager, much less one in a major market like New York, manages it.
It takes skill in and of itself to attempt to go through that without losing your composure, being upset, or anything else. Additionally, he has remained composed and even-tempered. He is aware of how difficult this sport is. Like all of us, he has a significant stake in these guys.
It is therefore not an easy assignment to manage or deal with and remain cool, calm, and collective when attempting to explain a challenging play or poor performance over a length of time, or why the storm is upon us. He has clearly done a fantastic job of overcoming that.
I’m aware that I couldn’t. Due to sleep deprivation or being irritated, I would most likely be making more regrettable remarks along the way. Not much would be needed.
What about the Yankees’ several absurd errors this season? Boone has said, “That can’t happen?” in a number of them. Austin Wells was doubled up because he couldn’t remember the number of outs. Due to his inability to keep track of the count, Jasson Dominguez was picked off second base. After initially believing that a second baseman was going to intentionally pop up, Jazz Chisholm doubled up and later claimed he had no regrets. Because he ignored the third base coach’s yells for him to slide, Jorbit Vivas was thrown out at third base after tagging up from second standing up.
How about all of that?
According to Cashman, the manager speaks with the players. They speak to them. However, you don’t want it to ever happen and it shouldn’t happen when you say it can’t. But regrettably, it does occur.
Is the manager and his coaching staff responsible for any of that?
“It depends on the circumstances,” Cashman stated. It is the player’s responsibility if they forget to do something. It’s not progress. The coach isn’t keeping it from them. It’s only a diversion, something happened, etc.
It’s a terrible situation to be a part of, and regrettably, many players—not only our Yankees—are victims of that and have done it.
Although it’s something that has regrettably happened, that doesn’t imply you want to put up with it. Is it addressed? It is addressed.
Boone reminded the players they were still the league’s greatest club after the Yankees were swept four games in Toronto in early June. Nothing has changed since Cashman stocked up on bullpen pitchers prior to the July 31 trade deadline. Entering the weekend, the Yankees have a 4-8 record in August.
After losing last season with a variety of players and making it to the World Series, does Cashman think the Yankees are the team to beat in the AL?
We’ll find out, won’t we? He answered Until the season is complete and someone is lifting the trophy, I don’t think anyone can say that. As the current American League champions, we are attempting to defend that title.
Our primary objective is to try to win the American League East in order to automatically punch the ticket, as we are obviously not in control of the division at the moment. We’ll be battling to punch a ticket in a different way if nothing else.
Additionally, there is a lot of time on the clock, but it is simultaneously insufficient. There is urgency, therefore I don’t want to give the impression that there isn’t.
Why, then, are we losing so much? The Yankees are currently in danger of missing the playoffs after leading the AL East by seven games in early June.
Cashman claims he is not surprised by the Yankees’ situation.
“No,” Cashman answered, “because this is a very difficult sport and nothing is taken for granted.” I knew it was going to be a dog fight the moment I glanced at our category. And it’s clear that the first third of the season—or perhaps even the first half—didn’t look like that. That was not how it transpired.
However, you lose the first third of the first half. As the season progressed, it was evident that this would be a dog fight, and it absolutely is.
Regarding the timing of Cashman’s infrequent road trip, he says his schedule finally permitted it to happen because he had always wanted to do one.
According to Cashman, “I had some other reason that I couldn’t get on the road between the draft, the trade deadline, Cooperstown, and every window that I’ve had.” I had a good, clean opportunity to go. I’m here because St. Louis just so happened to be the destination.
