LAS VEGAS — New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman hears the sharp criticisms, reads the vitriol-filled attacks, and cringes knowing that much of it is coming from hallowed members of his own organization.
It’s four-time World Series champion catcher Jorge Posada blasting his former employers one day, and Hall of Fame closer Goose Gossage the next. It’s Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez ridiculing the Yankees one day, it’s Paul O’Neill the next. It’s Hall of Famer CC Sabathia taking his shots one day, and Milwaukee Brewers World Series champion manager Pat Murphy the next.
Cashman knows the Yankees haven’t won a World Series championship since 2009, and after being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in the postseason this year, it's 17 years without a title. That feels like a century when it comes to Yankees’ lore.
But, man, is it getting rough out there in the New York streets.
“The Yankees mean a lot to (people), whether it's the people that are throwing complaints, or throwing allegations, or our fans who are upset,’’ Cashman said. “We know we have a history of success that we're always trying to live up to. We're having a lot of things that we're always trying to do the best of our abilities, and the most important one is to deliver a championship.
“So, I kind of recognize that we need to do better always. So, do I get upset initially? Yeah. Do I get motivated? Absolutely, always. I don't need anything to motivate me anymore. I feel like our fans and our (media) keep us motivated enough.’’
Oh, do the tabloids ever.
“I mean, got a cattle prod constantly stuck right where you don't want it,’’ Cashman said, “nonstop with electrodes going. So that keeps you alive. But you also, when you take a step back, you got to channel and recognize it's coming from a place of hope and love of wanting things to be better than they currently are, and so that's where we're constantly trying to push to get to.
“And even though we've been there before, it hasn't been as timely as it needs to be, so I get it. And the longer it goes, the louder it gets.’’
Oh, it has been deafening this winter.
“It can make you angry,’’ Cashman said. “It can make you re-evaluate things. It can make you question things, question the individuals, like 'What do you mean by that?'"
Cashman is well-aware that Jeter and Rodriguez are paid to be critical on TV. Gossage is no longer welcome as a spring-training instructor or at Yankees events because of his bitterness towards Cashman and Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner. But Cashman was confused by Posada saying he no longer feels part of the organization. And he was taken aback by Murphy’s private comments ridiculing the Yankees in his World Series championship celebration with Jake Bauers, which was picked up by a hot mic.
But, hey, Murphy is the only one who apologized.
“I can tell you it meant a lot,’’ Cashman said. “They just won the World Series the night before, and then the next morning I get a phone call from him, walking through, apologizing for the comment, not realizing there was a live mic, explaining how he kind of uses anything he can to motivate his players.
“But my biggest takeaway was the fact that he took the time on the greatest, within 12 hours, arguably some of the greatest times that he's had walking this planet Earth − outside of the birth of his kids − to realize that he said something that he regretted. He wanted to take the time to track us down over here at the lowly New York Yankees to apologize for that. So that meant a lot to me.’’
Murphy, who on Tuesday won his third consecutive NL Manager of the Year award, had just received the game ball from the last out of the World Series from Bauers. Murphy hugged Bauers, and said:
“You're going to be a rich (expletive). Just remember when you were on that horse (expletive) Yankees team and you guys were all playing for yourself? Just remember, say, 'This is the way we used to do it.'"
Murphy insisted it was said simply as a motivational tactic, knowing that Bauers once played for the Yankees, and became a star player with the Brewers.
Posada, on the other hand, said he no longer feels welcomed by the Yankees, and stopped going to spring training as a guest instructor because he felt like they didn’t want him around.
Posada’s views stunned Cashman, who said he never heard those sentiments from Posada, and that he was free to call him or Steinbrenner at any time.
“We value our present, but we also value our past,’’ Cashman said. “In Jorge's case, he's invited every spring. He's invited to Old Timers’ Day. … I mean, Jorge wants us to be great. We want us to be great. And unfortunately, you know, we haven't been. We've been good, but we haven't been great.
“That's the trick of trying to figure out how to get from good to great. … I try to remind people how difficult it is. There's a lot of great teams that we've put together that fell short. We’re disappointed, and I remind any of the former players when we are letting our fans down by not playing up to our capabilities, or falling short of our dream, or our hopes, that it might not look good. Or it might look like we're checking all the boxes. That's what losing looks like.
“It's not because the care factor is not there or the work's not going on behind the scenes. … We're going to keep pushing at it. And if somebody's got some good, constructive suggestions of how to get there, I'm open-minded, not shy.’’
Hey, when you’re the Yankees and have 27 World Series championships, been to the postseason 26 times in the last 31 years, and haven’t had a losing record since 1992, you set a lofty gold standard.
And when you don’t get there, well, anyone is free to take shots.
“Listen, the Marlins beat us in the (2003) World Series,’’ Cashman said, “I remember they put our logo on their World Series ring. They beat the Yankees.’’
The only way to shut up the critics now, Cashman realizes, is by getting back to the big dance and being the last man standing, perhaps doing it with a payroll that’s similar to the one they had a year ago.
They’re not in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, but they need to find a third baseman, come up with a second baseman, need to re-sign All-Star closer David Bednar and several other relievers, get a backup catcher and must have Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton stay healthy.
They plan to bring Stanton back for one last season, hoping he can finally stay healthy and provide an impact bat. They plan to bring back third baseman Ryan McMahon, who's looking to bounce back, infielder Anthony Volpe to secure second base, and shortstop George Lombard Jr., who they need to play like a veteran. They need a left fielder to emerge from within or via free agency.
They also must do it within a budget that Steinbrenner is setting, likely close to the $300 million payroll from a year ago, which could rule out some free agents like outfielder Randy Arozarena or infielder Luis Arraez .
“I've been given a budget by Hal and we're trying to now connect with teams and agents,’’ Cashman said. “You know, the winter has just started, so we’ll see what is feasible and what isn't feasible.’’
When asked what the budget will be in 2027, Cashman declined to tip his hand.
“I would just say,’’ Cashman said, “business as usual.’’
Cashman did insist that they aren’t giving up on Stanton, who is owed $25 million in the final year of his contract, with the Miami Marlins kicking in $10 million. Stanton will be coming to spring training despite playing in just 24 games last season and 77 games in 2025.
“He’s not going anywhere,’’ Cashman said, “he’ll be in spring training without a doubt and hopefully healthy and ready to go. … There's never been a time when he's healthy that he's not been impactful. So, if he’s healthy, I know he can impact. Always has been. So, hopefully, we'll get a healthy Stanton. He's a big presence in our clubhouse. A great leader. He's wired right. He's doing everything (he) possibly can (to) impact us in a positive way.
“So yeah, he's not going anywhere.’’
Time will tell whether the Yankees are going anywhere, either, with Cashman saying he has no clue whether a salary cap will be implemented into the sport as Steinbrenner desires, which could impact just how they treat the rest of this winter. If a cap comes into play, the payroll will be reduced, but the question is how quickly.
“That would be a commissioner’s office question to ask,’’ Cashman says. “I'm just a lowly general manager.’’
And a GM who’s desperately trying to win as quickly as possible, and at least soften that vicious criticism ringing in his ears.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Cashman hits back at criticisms from Yankees legends, fans, media
