MFYs and their stinking good GMs.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Great MFY blog NoMaas' interview with Cashman.

Nice questions. Concise, well-thought-out answers that make sense in and of themselves, as well as in context. A franchise plan that actually seems like a coherent plan. ACCESS. Sigh.

SJK: Since you were given full authority over baseball decisions after the 2005 season, how do you believe the organization has changed -- whether it be fiscally, philosophically, or in methodology? CASH: I think we've changed in all aspects. There were a lot of people before involved in the decision-making process and now that's more defined. I felt like we were the Roman Empire where our operations were stretched far and wide. We weren't king of the hill in player development, king of the hill in amateur scouting, king of the hill on the major league side, king of the hill on the international side�we weren't maximizing our resources at any level. We had department heads making decisions for other departments that weren't their responsibility. Now, I have localized each department to their specific area and maximized their expertise in those areas for the greater good of the organization as a whole. Draft day, for example, has become critically important to us again. They're vital to success and I'm proud to say that some of our recent draftees were part of a world championship team this year. SJK: Between players graduating to the big leagues and recent trades, the minor league system is thinner than it has been in recent years. Would you agree with that assessment and what is your strategy for re-stocking? Do you anticipate having an increased budget for the draft and IFAs? CASH: Yes, the minor league system is thinner. I traded nine to eleven prospects this offseason, but that is what the system is there for. You can utilize homegrown talent for yourself or you can use it to get what you want. And that can keep you out of the free agent market, because you have to overpay in the free agent market. Having a farm system allows you to acquire talent in the most cost-efficient way. We're always asking for more money for drafts and IFAs, but our budgets are at the highest level and that's likely where they'll stay. It's hard to increase budgets in this type of economy. SJK: Speaking of the budget, whenever the Yankees win, the payroll police comes out and says that any GM could win with those financial resources. Does that ever get at you? CASH: Does it bother me? Yes. But, we're proud to say we have the most successful baseball company in the world, maybe even the most successful sports organization in the world. We have a great business model. We have a tremendous brand. We've increased our attendance, first breaking the 3,000,000 barrier, now we draw 4,000,000. We have a new stadium. Our owner built us up to this and it's fantastic. SJK: Among some pockets of Yankee fans, you've developed a reputation as a ninja, silently stalking your victim and then out of nowhere slaying him with a flying star. In other words, you have a reputation of making acquisitions without them receiving much publicity before they happen, i.e Mark Teixeira. Do you make it a point that your front office keeps negotiations private? Do you feel that gives you an advantage? CASH: One of the things that has taken place is that we've streamlined our process. When it comes to major league acquisitions, I work with our pro scouting department and only include others when the circumstances warrant. By doing that, I limit leaks. I control what I'm working on and it's less likely to get out. And it works to our advantage. Because if people read or hear the Yankees are looking at someone, they'll take a look too. That's what I do. If a club is in on a guy, you take a second or third look. I don't want to get anyone else's attention when I'm working on something. SJK: Over the last few years, it seems like the Yankees are becoming less inclined to pay players based on nostalgia and public opinion. For example, early in this offseason you said Hideki Matsui's World Series MVP wouldn't be a factor in your valuation of him. How has the decision-making process changed? CASH: I will say that I've been educated about sample sizes and the true value of a player's abilities. If a player has a hot week in October, I don't think that necessarily gives you an idea of his abilities. SJK: On to the 5th starter competition -- Joba Chamberlain lost significant juice on his fastball last year, in some estimates over 2 mph. How concerned are you about that and is that something which will weigh into your decision about who becomes the 5th starter? CASH: Performance will dictate. He was inconsistent last year. He has completed his development program. May the best man win. SJK: But, speaking of what you just said about sample sizes, how can you make a decision based on Spring Training? CASH: You are forced to make those types of decisions. You take into account their prior history, but really no one is coming in with an edge. We'll see what we see. Maybe someone shows up out of shape or pulls a hamstring, that helps make a decision. Maybe someone is throwing ball better than someone else. SJK: Will Phil Hughes' reported innings limits factor into the 5th starter competition? CASH: No, it will not be a factor on his chances of becoming 5th starter. We will mandate what his innings limits will be and Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland will have full authority on how they would manage those innings - just like last year with Joba. They could truncate it at the beginning, it doesn't matter me. It only matters to me if they exceed their limits. SJK: Is the loser of the Hughes/Joba battle going to be permanently placed in the bullpen or is this just a 1-year situation? CASH: There is no permanent anything. Your team has to be flexible. The great thing is we have guys who have the ability to both go in the bullpen and start. If somebody gets hurt, somebody's performance suffers...Chad Gaudin can start and relieve, Sergio Mitre can start and relieve, Aceves can start and relieve, Hughes and Joba can start and relieve. These guys have the ability to succeed at both ends, some more than others. SJK: Why were you willing to give up Austin Jackson for Curtis Granderson? CASH: Granderson is a "now player." What Granderson is currently doing in the big leagues, we didn't necessarily project for Austin Jackson. We thought Jackson would be an above-average everyday player. Did we see 30 HR potential? Not necessarily. It's easier to bet on Granderson than the projections of what Jackson may or will do. If Granderson was on a $100 million contract, I wouldn't have made the trade. He's on a good contract. But there is risk, Austin Jackson has a lot of talent and it could all come together sooner than you think. SJK: If the season were starting tomorrow, who would be your starting CF? CASH: Curtis Granderson. But if Gardner proves our team is better with him in CF and he can be an everyday outfielder�he has a lot to show in a short amount of time in Spring Training. We believe he is better in CF and we believe Granderson would be terrific in LF. But, Granderson was acquired to be our everyday CF and that is our expectation. SJK: When God created OBP, did he also create Nick Johnson? CASH: Well, he would be in that category. I just hope for good health, because if he's healthy the numbers will be there. SJK: Speaking of health, while you have done a great job lowering the average age of the team, you still have a group of core players who are old in athletic terms. Not only did these older players display excellent durability last season, but they also showed little signs of performance decline, if all. How concerned are you about their durability this season and do you expect these players to continue to defy their ages? CASH: You can't expect that, because at some point, the music is going to stop. They'll be looking for a chair to sit in and there will be no chair. Like anything else, athletes are on borrowed time. But, for us, there have been no indication that this is upon us. SJK: Why do you believe these players have been able to perform at these high levels despite their advancing age? CASH: I think it's their commitment to excellence, it's our manager and training staff, our strength and conditioning staff�and I think it's luck too. SJK: During the offseason you stated that you wanted a right-handed OF on the bench to hit LHP, which is understandable considering Granderson's track record versus lefties and that Brett Gardner is not yet proven. We advocated for Reed Johnson who is better against left-handed pitching than both Randy Winn and Marcus Thames. Why did you move in another direction? CASH: We looked at Reed Johnson quite a bit. He's a tremendous player. He smashes left-handed pitching. But he has had health issues. This is how I looked at it. I just traded Melky Cabrera, I just traded Austin Jackson, I don't have much outfield depth in the farm system�so my 4th outfielder has to have a history of playing full seasons. I need an everyday guy. My outfield depth is an area of weakness. I need someone my manager can turn to. Randy Winn didn't hit left-handed pitching this past season, but he has in previous seasons. He can play all the all the outfield positions, he can pinch hit, pinch run, steal a base for you....he gives you better coverage for our lack of outfield depth. Reed Johnson plays like Brett Gardner. He plays hard. He plays really hard. He has make up. He has tenacity. Everything I want. He gets after it extremely hard, but I can't afford any health issues with our lack of depth. I really wrestled with some of these decisions, more so on the smaller ones than the bigger ones. But I have to give my manager more coverage. If someone gets hurt, I'll be happy we have Randy Winn there. SJK: We also would have liked Eric Hinske to return, as it's uncommon to have a player of his quality on your bench. Was their an effort made to re-sign him? CASH: He just didn't fit. We're left-handed dominant. And we have Juan Miranda if we wanted to go down that path. SJK: Do you think we'll see Jesus Montero in the Boogie Down at some point in the season? CASH: I don't see him in the Bronx this season. He needs to take his next step in the process. SJK: Do you think his future is behind the plate? CASH: We hope so. His value is highest as a catcher. His bat will find a way into the middle of the lineup, that's without a doubt. Whether he stays behind the plate, is a first baseman, a rightfielder, a DH - that remains to be seen. But he's got one of the best throwing arms in the minors, he's got some of the best blocking�he's just so big, mechanically he takes a lot longer in his release. That's an area he needs to shorten up. SJK: Is it true that you drive a car with a huge "Cashmoney" decal on the back window? CASH: No, it's not true. SJK: Lastly, have you ever challenged an opposing GM to a rap battle? CASH: No, but a number of my friends know what I listen to. When we're at the GM meetings hanging out or talking trades, I take out my Ipod and play some pretty good stuff.

[metirish]

Interesting read , especially interesting to read Cashman's thinking regarding Winn , Thames and Reed.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Not jealous a bit.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

The Johnson-Winn-Thames rationale doesn't do anything for you, Edge? Or this?

CASH: I will say that I've been educated about sample sizes and the true value of a player's abilities. If a player has a hot week in October, I don't think that necessarily gives you an idea of his abilities.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

What's with the pretend gangsta style? Is that how they roll in the Bronx?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Yeah, I dunno. The blog name's pretty puntastic, though. (And their analysis-- when links have led me to them-- is pretty sharp, for a bunch of frontrunning MFY fans.)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but they can suck my dick.

So can Brian "We Have a Great Business Model" Cashman.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Brian Cashman as a ninja? He looks more like Vladimir Putin with half the warmth.

[G-Fafif]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but they can suck my dick.[/quote:1j51bn66]

I'd say that point is very fine.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Yeah.

On second thought, can I just burn this thread? Like, with gas?

(Had to show the MFYs Senior Veep for Corp/Community Relations-- they're big corp donors-- around work yesterday. Perhaps his handshake was toxic.)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That's OK, thanks for posting it. I don't have anything nice to say about the MFYs or their fans is all.

[Centerfield]

Not jealous of the MFY's per se, but I do wish we had smart people running our team.

[Frayed Knot]

Do keep in mind that those are the same "smart" people who threw a combined $86 million at Carl 'The American Idle' Pavano and 'Off' Kei Igawa

[Guest Edgy DC]

Same people who gave baseball The Moat, also.

I'm following the Yankees only close enough to be keeping my eye on when Phil Hughes's options expire.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Fuck Phil Hughes. And fuck you, you Phil Hughes Homo.

[metirish]

You know , if Rogers started this thread we'd fucking bugger him or something.....where the fuck is LWFS?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Not jealous of the MFY's but I wish they had a Jackie Robinson Rotunda.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

You know , if Rogers started this thread we'd fucking bugger him or something.....where the fuck is LWFS?[/quote:2ht47wvm]

Ha. They've had an irritatingly good/prudent offseason (although NoMaas probably has it right about Reed Johnson, provided he holds together). And the last one made a good amount of sense as well, in an entirely different way. Hey, I don't claim to know who's whispering in his ear-- or not-- the last two years, but it's working. Fuck.

Also, I've been holding this in around MFY fans I know, and I know a lot of MFY fans. Consider it venting.

[Oh, and in case anyone's wondering, Brian Smith, said VP of Community Relations, has a strong, I'm-trying-to-squeeze-the-shit-out-of-you kind of handshake. Apparently, that's what he's been working on instead of replacing parkland and removing scaffolding.]

[Guest Edgy DC]

For all his alleged smartness, he's just won the team's first championship of the millenium, after a shopping trip last offseason that took absolutely no smarts but rather a pot of gold no other GM can dream of.

They'll crash. Hard, and disgracefully. And shockingly soon. And the same folks who will be laughing at them then will forget they ever wrote how smart their leadership is.

I have foreseen it.

[TransMonk]

Right now, I consider Boston the favorite in the AL East. The Yankees had a decent offseason, but Boston is stacked any way you look at it.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Since defeating the Mets in the 2000 WS, the MFY's have gotten to the post-season in eight of the next nine seasons. They've won one WS in their last eight post-season appearances, and have a total of three WS appearances in the last nine seasons. Since 2000, a wild-card team has won the WS three times and lost it four times -- a total of seven WS appearances by wild card teams since 2000.

This insignificant sample size is consistent with the idea that a team can buy its way into the playoffs, but that once there, it's mostly a crapshoot.

[Ceetar]

For all his alleged smartness, he's just won the team's first championship of the millenium, after a shopping trip last offseason that took absolutely no smarts but rather a pot of gold no other GM can dream of.

They'll crash. Hard, an disgracefully. And shockingly soon. And folks the same folks who will be laughing at them then will forget they ever wrote how smart their leadership is.

I have foreseen it.[/quote:2l2jjk2n]


I've been expecting them to crash for years. Honestly, I think Girardi won last year based on giving his guys proper rest (skipped a start for Pettitte here, more rest for Posada there..)

Sooner or later though..Rivera, Pettitte, Posada's age will catch up with them. Jeter worked hard to keep his range up last year, see if he does again or not. Does A.J. get sloppy? C.C.'s work load finally catch up with him or is he just a horse? They had so much go right for them last year it's crazy. Their bullpen sucked but every random guy they threw at it held up, right down to Hughes.

[Centerfield]

Considering it's been 23 years and counting, I will gladly take a GM that wins a championship once every 9 years.

I realize the degree of difficulty is much easier for Cash, given the payroll, but he seems like a bright guy, seems to have a plan, and has shown an ability to be creative.

Maybe it doesn't relate to much, but I want to hear my GM say things like not getting swayed by small sample size. It's much more comforting than hearing a GM say stuff like "He's a good RBI guy."

[Guest Edgy DC]

He probably does say things about small sample sizes. It's just that his team is coming off a disastrous year, so he's not talking about not getting swayed by good small sample sizes, but rather telling others not to get too swayed by bad small sample sizes.

It's the job of any GM and leadership team to make decisions that are smarter than the numbers --- big numbers, small numbers, old numbers, new numbers.

[Guest Edgy DC]

[quote name=Kevin Kernan of The New York Post]Worry level spikes as DH scratched

CLEARWATER, Fla. � You just knew that at some point Nick Johnson was going to get injured.

It happens.

But before the second game of spring training and before the game? What in the name of Johnny Damon is going on?

Even by Johnson�s standards, this was a strange one. The DH made the wrong choice in pregame footwear and paid the price, tweaking his lower back during batting practice. Here we go again.

This is the kind of stuff that usually happens to the Mets, not the Yankees. Johnson may be the most likeable player in baseball, the kind of guy you root for, but too often you are rooting that he returns from an injury.

[metirish]

Tim Marchman rates the General Managers.....it's best not to ask why .

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tim_marchman/03/03/gm.rankings/index.html

[Guest Edgy DC]

More snark than than substance, no?

[metirish]

More snark than than substance, no?

[Frayed Knot]

The problem with a lot of this stuff is that it's merely a snapshot in time.

A year ago Minaya's Mets were coming off three seasons that totaled more than 270 wins plus six post-season ones while Cashman's Yanx were on a 9-season streak of not only falling short of their own standards but doing so despite spending several billion dollars on payroll which represents something in the neighborhood of 40% more than even the next highest teams and about triple the ML average.

Sure there things to judge these guys on other than those, but if the Yanx don't go through '09 as ridiculously healthy as the Mets were ridiculously unhealthy the rankings of those NYC counterparts is at least somewhat closer today.

[MFS62]

I traded nine to eleven prospects this offseason,

How fucking smart can he be when he can't remember exactly how many prospects he traded in the last four months? Isn't it the GM's job to keep track of such things?

Later