Yankees prove they're satisfied with 'good enough' by extending Brian Cashman

The New York Yankees have generally been a good team since Brian Cashman took over as the general manager in 1998.

The Yankees won the World Series that year, kicking off a three-year reign that ended when they fell to the Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. Another championship came in 2009 as the Yankees remained a perennial playoff team, missing the postseason only five times since Cashman took over.

While the Yankees have been good enough to reach the postseason, it is fair to wonder about Cashman's ability to build a championship-caliber roster. The World Series titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000 came from a foundation that had already been put into place when he ascended to the job. Cashman deserves credit for the 2009 championship, but he also deserves blame for the longest stretch in franchise history without a title since the Yankees earned their first World Series crown in 1923.

Nothing likely to change with Brian Cashman, New York Yankees

Reaching the postseason while avoiding a losing record has been deemed good enough. Cashman will be back for a 30th season as the Yankees general manager, with owner Hal Steinbrenner blaming the players for yet another disappointing season, with his ire primarily directed at the lineup.

The Yankees battled injuries throughout the year. Losing outfielder Aaron Judge was a devastating blow to a lineup that was already missing designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. Catcher Austin Wells was not the same after his concussion issues earlier in the season. However, injuries do not explain disappointing performances from virtually every player not named Ben Rice or Paul Goldschmidt.

Chances are, the Yankees will be a competitive team once again in 2027. In all likelihood, they will return to the postseason. However, unless Steinbrenner finds a way to light a fire under Cashman, just reaching the playoffs may be good enough.