Yankees GM has blunt assessment on the 'disaster' of a team he built
Amid one of the more miserable seasons in New York Yankees history, the team's architect, general manager Brian Cashman, got brutally honest about the team's struggles.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Cashman didn't hold back, calling the team's recent performance and the season a "disaster."
"I don't think anyone on our side of the fence, from our player group to our coaches, our manager — or even outside of the organization — would've predicted this," Cashman said.
Cashman called the season "embarrassing" and even said that the team, including himself, would take a look in the mirror this offseason. On the surface, Cashman's statements sound like he's taken the proper accountability. However, Cashman pointed toward a "depleted roster" and underperforming players as the culprit for the team's historic downswing while humorously adding that the Yankees were still technically alive in the playoff hunt.
The Yankees' postseason hopes aren't officially dead. Cashman is right about that. But considering how they've played lately, they don't seem primed for a late run. The Yankees entered the day mired in a nine-game losing streak, their longest since 1982. At 60-65, they're 17 games back of the first-place Baltimore Orioles (77-48) in the American League East and 10 games back of the final wild-card spot.
Cashman is also right about the Yankees' injury woes and lackluster play from too many on the roster. However, he failed to mention that he was the one who brought them on board.
So far, starter Carlos Rodon, the Yankees' prized free-agent signing this offseason, has blown up in their face. Rodon has performed miserably in Yankee pinstripes (1-4, 6.27 ERA) when healthy, having made only seven starts. Meanwhile, recent acquisitions, starting pitcher Frankie Montas and reliever Lou Trivino, have yet to play a game for the Yankees this season. On the offensive side, third baseman Josh Donaldson has fallen off a cliff in 2023, playing in only 33 games while batting .142/.225/.434 with 10 home runs and 15 RBI.
Cashman probably isn't on the chopping block despite failing with the second-highest payroll in baseball. However, there is the inclination of a warming seat for Cashman, who said Hal Steinbrenner "wants answers."
Whether or not that leads to substantial change or not this offseason is up for debate. The Yankees are used to finding a way through tough stretches, no matter what it takes. However, it has been a while since they've needed to overcome times like this, and they may have little wiggle room to accomplish it.
The Yankees already have the third-most money allocated for the 2024 payroll ($179.5 million), and if they want to trade their way out of this mess, that will be challenging, too, as they boast the 21st-ranked farm system, according to MLB Pipeline, down from 13th in 2022.
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