Brian Cashman has recently re-entered the spotlight for his comments regarding reliever Pedro Feliciano. In reference to Feliciano's workload while pitching for the Mets, Cashman called the team's usage of him "abusive," sparking an exchange of words between Cashman, Mets Pitching Coach Dan Warthen, and Feliciano himself. While Cashman may have been out of line in taking such a public stance, it also furthers one's respect of Cashman for his brutal honestly. In a city where anything but a token PR response generates controversy, Cashman has never shied away from the truth, regardless of what kind of drama his words may generate. Whether or not we agree with his opinions is another issue entirely.
This past offseason, Cashman was heavily criticized for not acquiring a front-line starting pitcher after failing to sign Cliff Lee. Rather, he turned to low risk options Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, signing them to minor league deals. He was even in talks to bring back hated ex-Yankee Carl Pavano. Yankee ownership and top brass, not satisfied with Cashman's work, decided to improve the club by signing closer Rafael Soriano to an overpriced contract to pitch the 8th inning ahead of Mariano Rivera. Cashman, who has usually been of the opinion that the club can build the bullpen from within, was quite frank when asked about the signing, stating that he was opposed to the signing and that he had made this opinion well known to Yankee ownership.
Four games into the season, Yankee ownership was probably confident that they had made the correct choice in signing Soriano. He had pitched two perfect 8th innings in between Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera and had helped produce two Yankee wins. However, last night, Girardi turned to Soriano again, this time with a 4-0 lead in the 8th inning. Soriano proceeded to walk three batters, included a bases-loaded walk to Joe Mauer. Girardi was forced to bring in David Robertson to get them out of the inning. Robertson produced a popup which was misplayed by Nick Swisher and allowed all three runners to score, tying the game. The Yankees would eventually go on to lose the game in 10 innings.
After the game, questions arose about whether or not Soriano will be able to maintain his closer-intensity during non-save situations. Unfortunately, Soriano wasn't around to answer any of those questions. He darted out of Yankee clubhouse before the press was allowed in and left his manager and fellow teammates to answer on his behalf. This is certain to hurt Soriano's reputation amongst fans, the media, his manager, and most importantly, his teammates. If this is how he handles a bad outing with a four-run lead against the Twins, how is he going to handle an 8th inning tie against the Red Sox at Fenway Park?
So what can be drawn from all of this? Perhaps it should serve as another lesson as to why Brian Cashman is in charge of baseball operations and why he should be trusted to remain as the final authority on all baseball decisions. Cashman makes his decisions based on far more than mere results. He obviously takes talent and cost into consideration, but he also looks very carefully at how certain players will affect the clubhouse. Unlike the Joe Torre, who seemed capable of bringing his team together no matter the personalities, Joe Girardi lacks those skills and is far more dependent on his general manager's ability to assess clubhouse personalities. In the case of Soriano, Cashman probably took Soriano's personality into consideration when choosing not to support the signing.
Now this isn't to say that Soriano won't correct his mistake and produce more performances like those produced during his first two games. But it just goes to show you that once again, Brian Cashman knows what he's doing.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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"Perhaps it should serve as another lesson as to why Brian Cashman is in charge of baseball operations and why he should be trusted to remain as the final authority on all baseball decisions." Who said he was in charge of baseball operations? We know that he is NOT the final authority on all baseball decisions..... as evidenced by the Soriano signing. The Steinbrenner boys have final say like George did--- there have always be others involved. You guys here love Cashman but just remember he is a figurehead to a large degree, and the fact that the Steinbrenner saved $500 mill because Daddy passed in 2010 means they have the money to make moves THEY want to make. Cashman has beena part of the machine a while and only recently is making waves. maybe he is trying to prove his worth to be signed by another club when his current deal expires? If that is the case then he needs a lot of positive PR since i am sure he is not wanting to take a pay cut from his current 7 digits salary. One other small note--- Yanks and Cashman take no heat for not getting Lee when Yanks were only used so he could get max out of Phillies, and no other top line starters were available.
ReplyDeleteHypothetically, Cashman's role as head of baseball operations would indicate that he should have the final say. I'm well aware of the fact that the Steinbrenners really have the final say (and apparently to some degree so does that moron Randy Levine).
ReplyDeleteMy point was that Cashman is usually very good at evaluating players and for the most part has had more influence on organizational decision than he is given credit for. It's very easy to take credit away from him when things don't work out or because he has a lot of money to spend. From 2005 until the Soriano signing, I am actually fairly convinced that he was running the show. He was the one who convinced Steinbrenner not to can Torre after 2006.
He is also responsible for NOT trading away the farm for Johan Santana and waiting for CC Sabathia. Remember how much people killed him for not making that trade? Clearly his voice was heard, because I don't think a younger George Steinbrenner would have let Cashman stand in his way of making that kind of a trade.
How many players signed or traded for post-2005 can you honestly think of that Cashman was not on board with?
I love Cashman but the Feliciano comment was a bit of a cheap shot at a down Mets team. Did he not know how many innings he had pitched before he signed him? I don't disagree with his thoughts since the Mets obviously abused Feliciano but I don't know if that's the best way of going about it.
ReplyDeleteAs far as who Cashman did or didn't sign (or didn't want to sign), let's give it more than a week to really figure out if he was right or not.
my poor metsies.
ReplyDeletenot resigning feliciano was the first "we are 2 poor" move that has worked out