Is Cashman handcuffed? According to this Wall St. Journal article, it sure seems like it:
In a situation that highlights how much has changed for the big-budget Yankees, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman came to the winter meetings in Nashville with his hands so fully tied that he lacked the authority to make offers to free agents.
The situation was first brought to light by agent Scott Boras, who quietly suggested Wednesday that Cashman lacked the power to make offers.
“He had indicated that right now, he’s working with ownership on getting advance authority. He really is not involved in a lot of dealing right now, but is doing due diligence to go back and meet with them about that,” Boras said Wednesday.
On Thursday, people within the Yankees organization confirmed that this was in fact true: Cashman arrived in Nashville unable to make offers to players, and without that power, targets like Jeff Keppinger and Eric Chavez took deals elsewhere.
But then, the Yankees GM makes comments like this and toes the company line:
The things that have come off the board this week, I’m very comfortable with (letting them go),” Brian Cashman said. “I like those players, and those players could help us, but at the same time I’m comfortable with the direction we’re currently headed.”
“There’s a lot of signings right now on the marketplace,” Cashman said. “And they’re above what I think…”
“It’s not something we can’t do, but a number of these things I wouldn’t do.”
If he handcuffed or not?
27 Comments
Ca gumisegom December 6, 2012 15:40
Red sox suck
Schlongtravius Johnson December 6, 2012 15:42
The Yanks drive their Rolls Royce to the dollar store and complain about the prices. What’s their plan? Is there some free agent deluge coming? 2015 is supposed to bring Verlander and King Felix to the market, but both of them could be locked up by then. Are they really banking on even half of their top prospects to pan out, which seldom happens for any team? Are they hoping to outsmart the competition and find bargain bin gems like Brosius and Chad Curtis? Not in the age of advanced metrics, when more desperate teams are looking for every advantage. They can’t plunder the international market under the new intl free agent system. More and more, the players who reach free agency are somehow flawed (BJ Upton, Josh Hamilton) or veterans asking for albatross contracts. (Three years for Shane Victorino? Better them than us.)
I know, I know. TL;DR. Still, what’s the plan, Cash?
Yankee fan December 6, 2012 16:17
I will reevaluate in 2014, but there is no way I am supporting this penny pinching and total lack of an appearance of trying to field a team in 2013.
Pink Hat December 6, 2012 16:50
Me too! I will only support the team when it is going to be good.
You Missed It December 7, 2012 00:33
That’s not what he meant.
Hal Morris December 6, 2012 16:22
just over .500 by mid May
DormantUlcer December 9, 2012 04:55
See the pitching in 2014. Warren #2 SP.
Javon Belcher December 6, 2012 16:25
You guys should have went to the 50 Shades of Grey photoshop with the handcuffed remark!
Ray Lewis December 6, 2012 16:27
I’ll shank you fool!
ESPN December 6, 2012 16:27
We really want to play sad music and celebrate the tragic loss of life of another respected NFL player, but the other news stations wouldn’t listen when we asked them to play down the murder part of the story. Oh well, tune in for more commercials featuring Ray Lewis!
Matt December 6, 2012 16:27
I’d be willing to bet he is. He’s a stand up guy so he won’t throw anyone under the bus.. At least not until he gets to write his version of ‘The Yankee Years’ ala Joe Torre.
Eliot Spitzer December 7, 2012 00:05
Yeah he’s a real stand up guy. Cheating on his wife with a ugly psycho
whewbag then murdering the unborn kid because at $5 million a year who could afford to support that child?!?!
Cashman December 7, 2012 00:06
I throw unborn children under the bus all day all night.
Hannibal Simpson December 8, 2012 22:50
Unborn children… mmmmm…
Concerned Fan December 6, 2012 16:28
Wasn’t there a rumor that he flew coach to the meetings?
Isn’t this like Levine and the boys telling Cashman to get his fucking shinebox?
Concerned Fan December 6, 2012 17:11
Cashman the handcuffed GM
Had a very cheap owner
and if you ever saw him
you would say he’s scrooge
Al of the other GMs
used to laugh and call him names
they never let poor Cashman
play in their free agent games
OJ Simpson December 6, 2012 17:23
Even I have more freedom than Brian Cashman.
The Emir of Qatar December 6, 2012 19:23
I will uncuff Cashman…in fact I love the Nomaas nickname Cashmoney! what’s that you say? No middle eastern ownership of MLB teams? BAH!! I WILL BRIBE SELIG WITH DELIGHTS THAT HE HAS NEVER DREAMED!! HAHAHAHA!!! Payroll of 250 million is my floor!! HAHAHA!!
Moshe Mandel December 6, 2012 21:47
My wife ties me up by the throat and calls me an ape.
Chau December 6, 2012 21:52
CA$H like little drug deealing monkey. He middle man. Boss drug dealer keep hands clean. Everybody love monkey.
Chau need a bump.
Eric Chavez December 6, 2012 22:07
He couldn’t even shake my hand!
Brian Cashman December 7, 2012 00:37
I’m on the boat now, guys. I’ve made such a habit of trying to help this team over the years under George, but you know what? I’m used to this “not having to work and still get paid the same” thing. Like I keep saying, “I’m comfortable with it.”
Impeach John & Suzyn December 7, 2012 13:52
To answer NoMaas’s question: no he’s not handcuffed, but there’s definitely a leash forcing him to be more cautious & stick to a plan. He did spend $37 million on 2 starters and a closer. Just cuz they’re re-hires doesn’t mean he didn’t use the checkbook. Is everyone really that upset because Jeff Keppinger & Eric Chavez & 220 hitting RussMart left?
Ah Hello December 7, 2012 16:11
When you take a look at what will be replacing Chavez & Russmart
you will regret you asked the question.
You’re a fucking tool just like your namesake handle.
Please go take you ass to Citifield – this is a big boys team over here.
This shit right here ain’t for fa fa fags.
Impeach John & Suzyn December 7, 2012 19:54
I always wondered if the same douchebags who panic over the Yankees not overpaying any available free agent are the same ones who like John & Suzyn. Now I know. Also, wake up, idiot – fag isn’t an epithet any more.
Mike Burke December 7, 2012 16:41
Cashman hasn’t been handcuffed since he ended his affair with the stalker. Hasn’t used the whip since then, either.
DormantUlcer December 9, 2012 04:57
It’s a joke that a team worth 3 billion and own a network worth 6 billion gives a shit about a few mill in luxury tax. Playing a dangerous game of messing with the brand.