N.Y. YANKEES ~ Brian Cashman Doesn't Mince Words

From the desk of:  Blame Carlos May




New York Yankees:  The GM laughs little, jokes less, and just doesn't play at all.


There's only one way I can classify Yankee GM Brian Cashman's comments regarding Pedro Feliciano.  First this is the Tweet by YES Network's Jack Curry:

@JackCurryYES   Jack Curry Feliciano led the major lgs in appearances with the Mets the last 3 yrs. "He was abused," Cashman said

 

Cashman's comments were a direct indictment levied against the New York Mets.  As for what I think of that comment? - It's completely comical and absurd.  And his increasing curt choice of words delivered with a smug matter-of-fact cockiness is an ongoing indication of how high Cashman's ego has skyrocketed over the last few years.

Why I think his comments are comical have nothing to do with his taking a jab and my team of choice; the New York Mets.  No; Cashman's choice words to describe the situation he and his off season bullpen acquisition find themselves in are a reflection of Cashman himself knowing full well the work load Feliciano has endured these last three years and signed him anyway.  Feliciano is the latest in a long line of horrible pitching acquisitions by Cashman.  Maybe I'll get into that more later.  But you know who they are. 

Going back to Mariano Rivera's first year as an understudy under John Wetteland...Now that was abuse.  I believe he had over 100 innings pitched as a reliever.  Every year Joe Torre had at least one mule that he abused and they were never the same again.  Because when Joe Torre didn't trust you, someone else's arm was going to get spent.

If Pedro Feliciano didn't break down he'd be a work horse and Cashman would have authored a savvy signing.  But because the "known to be overly taxed" reliever now finds himself on the Yankees DL, he suddenly became a victim of Met Abuse.  Forget that the Mets knew enough not to sign him.  How convenient for Cashman to say such a thing.  If Brian Cashman believes that to be so, then it's time for the Mets to set up a Hot-Line so as to prevent this from ever happening again.  How dare Brian Cashman sign a former Met who suddenly became damaged goods.  We owe him better than that.  Did we forget our lot in life?

But it's more than just Feliciano.  Brian Cashman has come a long long way since his days as a Yankee intern.  He now rules them with an iron fist and a tongue laced with a dismissive attitude to boot.  He was once the master of saying nothing.  Now-a-days what he says and how he says it, is an astonishing listen in SMUG - straight out of the School of Robert Moses for Effective Dismissive Speaking and Advancements in Elitism.

Working backwards, the most recent line in the sand he drew was with Jeter's off-season contract extension.  The General Manager's demeanor took an unusually disparaging approach in his negotiations.  A "be-lucky-you-still-have-a-job" Cashman gauntlet prevents Jorge Posada from "ever" being the Yankees' prideful backstop again.  Then there's Joba.  In my opinion, the Yankees, and Cashman in particular ruined this kid. And Brian Cashman seems so "Oh Well" about Joba's status.  The GM was very displeased with the apparent shape the young hurler came into camp in.  But in describing his lack of satisfaction with the situation, he chose to use some very cutting words.

Let's go further; - Back to when A-Rod and Scott Boras chose to use the World Series as their personal platform to announce they were opting out of the rest of their contract (signed with Texas) the Yankees were now in possession of.  Brian Cashman ever so matter-of-factly, basically told Alex Rodriguez to beat it.  I'd bet the word "scram" was even a thought.  If the decision were left solely to Cashman, A-Rod would not be a Yankee today.

There are more players; more instances.  Think Bernie Williams.  Think Andy Pettitte the first time.

But think back to the ultimatum he challenged George Steinbrenner with.  Brian was prepared to walk out the door but still offered advice on what needed to be done in order for the Yankees to maintain sustained success.  Some of Cashman's plans addressed the farm system, and other parts of his plan covered salary controls.  But most of all, Brian Cashman insisted George dis-ban the little gaggle of subversives in Tampa; Team Tamper as I used to call them.  George always played his GM's against his boys in Tampa; among them, pitching "guru" Billy Connors.  Cashman basically told George it's either them or me, but someone has to go.  So George said, OK Brian.  Stay, and you'll have full control.  But now your posterior is on the line.. - is basically the tone Boss held with his emboldened GM (almost former GM).

Ever since then, Brian Cashman has spoken with a tongue as shape as a Ginsu.

He now operates like someone who knows he's ready to leave and will walk on the edge just for fun because quitting or getting fired is something he can give less that two fungos about at this point in his Yankee career.

I'm not saying any of this is a bad thing; or good - I'm just saying.  It's interesting to remember where he came from within this organization, to the megalomaniac he's slowly growing into now.







Mike.BTB