Cash: Hank Likes Me, He Really Likes Me
Via Ken Davidoff -
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed yesterday that Hank Steinbrenner has officially expressed an interest in retaining his services beyond 2008, when his current contract expires. There have been no official negotiations, but Cashman stressed that he isn’t looking to leave the Bronx.
In an interview with Newsday before the Yankees’ 12-11 victory over the Royals yesterday, Cashman also said that Steinbrenner, who runs the Yankees with his brother Hal, now agrees with Cashman’s offseason decision to not give up cherished prospects for Johan Santana, whom the Twins wound up dealing to the Mets.
“I appreciate the fact that is on board with everything we’re doing, 110 percent, to the point where he’s recognized that making the move for Santana would not have been the right move,” Cashman said. “He told me, in hindsight, looking back on that situation and where we’re at right now – with the offense, the way it’s been doing – having another starter here wouldn’t have necessarily made any difference. He would’ve had X amount of losses because we wouldn’t have scored as many runs up to this point as you would’ve expected, either.”
“I was honest with [Hank],” Cashman said. “I said, ‘Listen, it wasn’t something I was thinking about at the time, but now it’s something I have to think about.
“I’m not trying to run from the Yankees. I’m not trying to get out of Dodge. This is all I’ve ever known. And I just obviously have to talk to my wife. I’ve been a Yankee for life. You can’t ask for anything more than the support the Steinbrenner family has given me and this franchise, and the opportunity they’ve given me personally.”
If it’s true that Hank is now on the Cashman love train, it would probably serve Brian well to get an extension now. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played this season – and a chance for something to happen that could make Hank decide to unjoin hands and get off that train.
Steve:
Look on the bright side: if Cashman leaves, what would have to complain about? Your life would lose its purpose!
Whether it’s here, or somewhere else, I am sure Cashman will find work next year.
Steve, you’re an impartial type of guy. What percentage do you give of good enough things happening that would be enough for all parties to come to an agreement on an extension? Negative percentages are accepted answers.
How does it feel you need to rely on the acumen of such GREAT baseball men like Hank, Hal, Trost, etc.?
You’ve got something in your favor: Cashman is so incompetent in your eyes maybe if management makes a mistake and offers him an extension maybe he’ll reject it.
~~What percentage do you give of good enough things happening that would be enough for all parties to come to an agreement on an extension? ~~
If what we’re reading here is true – and, with Hank, you never know – then I don’t think anything “good” has to happen for Cashman to get an offer to stay. As long as things stay the way they are now – Yanks around .500 and less than 20 games out of first – the offer should happen…again, if it’s true that Hank now loves Cash and his plan.
But, if the Yankees really tank – say, play 10 games under .500 for the rest of the season and Boston finishes first again – way, way, ahead of the Yankees…well, then, I think *maybe* Hank might *think* twice about making a decent offer to Cashman to stay.
IMHO.
What are the odds of the Yankees staying the same versus tanking? Who knows?
I think you have to keep in mind that this is Hank talking NOW. If the Yankees continue to putz around and end up at .500, possibly in 4th place (probably likely in 4th place), with maybe Hughes and Kennedy not looking all that great after they come back – then all bets are off. Steve is right that he should lock up an extension now – so that Hank pays through the nose if he fired him in October.