Brian Cashman prepares for winter meetings by rappelling down 22-story building
It’s a holiday tradition unlike any other. For the sixth straight year, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will take part in the Heights and Lights Festival, which means his final preparation for the winter meetings will be rappelling down the 22-story Landmark Building in downtown Stamford, Conn.
Yeah, how’s that sound for an adrenaline rush?
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Cashman actually went through a couple practice runs on Friday in preparation for the live run during Sunday’s event. He’ll be joined this year by Lindsay Berra the granddaughter Yogi Berra, as well as Fox 5 Sports anchor Duke Castiglione and Brian Van Orsdel.
In past years, Cashman has been joined by former Rangers, Mets and Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.
While the venture might seem like a distraction for Cashman, it actually has little impact on his business dealings. In fact, right after last year’s practice runs Cashman completed a trade for shortstop Didi Gregorius. And just like the past several years, once his feet are back on solid ground Sunday night, his sole focus will turn toward Nashville, where all thirty teams will begin to gather on Monday for the annual winter meetings.
In a rarity, the Yankees will go into the meeting without any clear targets, though they certainly have some needs that will need to be addressed sooner or later. Rotation depth is one area Cashman has acknowledged. Each of his top five starters — Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia, Nathan Eovaldi and Ivan Nova — have dealt with injuries over the last year-plus, so he understands the importance of compiling usable depth.
“They’re like race horses; they can go down at any time, and normally they do,” Cashman has said of starting pitchers. “Any chance you have a way to improve upon that, you really have to focus on it if you can. It’s easier said than done.”
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Cashman has also said he’s open to adding in the bullpen as well, which could be a precursor to dealing star closer Andrew Miller.
“Bullpen is the area that’s one of our areas of strength,” Cashman said. “But if an opportunity comes along and it’s another bullpen piece, so be it. If it makes sense in our world, then we’ll become aggressive on it.”
These are all things that will go through Cashman’s mind over the next week. Perhaps even while he’s hanging off the roof of the Landmark Building.
Whatever gets him in the right frame of mind, right Yankees’ fans?
But let’s be honest, if you can conquer the fear of rappelling a building that tall, navigating the winter meetings and negotating with rival general managers and agents should be a piece of cake.
BLS H/N: Cut 4
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
