Cashman: Answers Are Right Here

Via the Times -

More than once lately, Johnny Damon has expressed concern that the Yankees could become sellers instead of buyers if they do not improve before the July 31 trading deadline.

Asked about that concern on Friday, General Manager Brian Cashman said: “We’re trying to find a way to get this thing to where it needs to be, which is a postseason berth. That’s the mind-set.”

Even so, the Yankees are content to let the C. C. Sabathia sweepstakes go on without them. They have not been serious about Sabathia, the Cleveland Indians ace who could soon land with the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade.

“It’s up to myself, my staff and my players to figure it out together and certainly not count on something from the outside,” Cashman said. “Most of the answers are right here in front of us. Our players are better than this.”

You know, these 2008 Yankees are an interesting bunch. On hitting, you have some guys - like Damon and Matsui - who are having great years. Then, you have some guys - like Cabrera and Cano - who are having terrible years. These offset and bring you to “average.” Then, you have some guys with great numbers - like Giambi and A-Rod - who don’t hit in the clutch. But, you also have guys - like Jeter and Abreu - who are having down years but sometimes come through in the clutch. These offset and bring you to “average.”

It’s the same thing with the pitching. In the starting rotation, you have guys doing better than average - like Mussina and Chamberlain. But, they’re offset by guys doing poorly - like Rasner and Ponson. Throw in a guy doing just average - Pettitte - and the whole thing brings you to “average.”

The funny thing is…the Yankees bullpen (which was their biggest question mark coming into the season) has been pretty darn good this season (to date).

So, how do you fix the Yankees? It’s pretty simple…

You need Cano and Cabrera to start hitting. Either that, or, they need to be replaced. You need A-Rod and Giambi to start delivering clutch hits. You need Jeter and Abreu to be more consistent. And, you need to find two capable starting pitchers to join Pettitte, Chamberlain and Mussina.

So, yes, on the hitting side, this is on the players. But, the pitching? Well, unless the Yankees think that someone like Ian Kennedy, Jeff Karstens, or Dan McCutchen is ready to start making a positive impact as a big league starting pitcher, well, then, you’re going to have to go outside the organization for some help.

July 5, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items

Comments

One Response to “Cashman: Answers Are Right Here”

butchie22 on July 5th, 2008 3:53 pm

I understand Cashman’s point, given the fact that the payroll is 209 million dollars. If the Yankees get Sabathia will that fix their hitting woes? Quite franking, they need a pitcher and a hitter. In terms of trading,he will give them precious prospects(to the trading partner) and money to sign Sabathia and the Unkown hitter. Payroll will be what? Increased by maybe 15 million. And Cashman gets 4 draft picks, if they leave. All around , it is a lose/lose situation.Get a couple of expendable pieces to compete now, when that fact is dubious even when competing this year is dubious.

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