Yanks GM sick of losing, thinking about changes
The Yankees are presently in last place in the AL East, running the second-worst run differential in the American League, and on pace for 106 losses. It’s early, yes, but if paces hold, then the Yanks will finish at the bottom of the divisional standings for the first time since 1990 and set a franchise record for losses (they haven’t lost 100 games in a season since 1912, when they were known as the New York Highlanders).
Needless to say, this miserable start to the season doesn’t sit well with GM Brian Cashman, who expects more from payroll of almost $228 million. Regarding that mounting sense of frustration, here’s this from David Waldstein of the New York Times:
“There’s only so long you can allow it to go on before tinkering,” Cashman said in a telephone interview. “But it just needs to stop.”
…
“I’ve done this job a long time and I put this roster together,” Cashman said. “I feel it’s significantly better than it has performed, and when it doesn’t perform up to expectations over the course of time, I have a history of making changes. I would rather not go that route, but when you are forced to do so, you are forced to do so.”
Waldstein’s story has more pointed quotes from Cashman and also includes what he says about manager Joe Girardi and the coaching staff. Give it a full read, and it certainly sounds like Cashman is on the verge of undertaking an in-season roster makeover.
As for the problems, it’s really easier to list the Yankees who are living up to or exceeding expectations: Starlin Castro, Brian McCann, Brett Gardner (sort of), Andrew Miller, and Masahiro Tanaka. Particuarly disappointing are Chase Headley, Luis Severino, and Michael Pineda.
In terms of the forecast going forward, there’s not much solace to be found. The SportsLine Projection Model expects the Yankees to play .446 baseball the rest of the season, which is an improvement, but they’re given just a 0.4 percent chance of making the playoffs. As such, Cashman’s sense of unease likely isn’t going away anytime soon.
Yanks GM Brian Cashman, possibly staring into the void. (USATSI)
