Brian Cashman Should Absolutely Be Out Of A Job, But Hal Steinbrenner Reportedly Won't Even Consider The Idea Of Firing The Yankees GM
Mike Stobe. Getty Images.The Yankees woke up today in the cellar of the AL East and 5.5 games back of the American League's final wild card spot. It's August 10th and they're just three games over .500 with a -1 run differential. There's no more waiting around for a spark, no more time to allow for injured players to return and find their stride, no this team is just mediocre. Honestly mediocre might be putting it lightly, they honestly just suck and deserve all the basing that comes with the rest of the season.
Last night pretty much ended the Yankees season. You could easily say it's been over for a while now and I won't give you an argument, but losing 2 of 3 to the dysfunctional White Sox the way they did shows everyone they're not worth caring about moving forward. I'm still going to watch like a sucker every night in the event all these players revert back to their ways of 5 years ago, but I know the truth and I've accepted it. The offense is the worst thing these eyes have ever seen. They honestly have a better chance of scoring with the bases empty rather than them loaded. It's just what they are, a poorly constructed team that has no chance to win a World Series.
I like to think last night was the final time in 2023 this team legitimately makes me lose my mind.
Luis Severino entered Wednesday with a putrid 7.74 ERA. He has transformed himself into the worst starting pitcher in baseball, yet the Yankees continue to trot him out there praying something will magically click and revert his misfirings. Last night they decided to start reliever Ian Hamilton instead of Severino on his expected turn in the rotation. Progress! With a day off today and most of the bullpen available to pitch, it would make sense to go with a full bullpen day and salvage this series against Chicago. Instead of that sensible plan, the Yankees inexplicably brought in Severino for the second inning as the bulk guy. Why they thought this would work is beyond me. Sure his first inning is his worst statistical inning, but it's not like he dominates the others. It's not like he handles 4-9 in the lineup any better than 1-3. He's just bad all around and has no ability to get guys out anymore. To no surprise whatsoever Severino immediately gave up three runs in the 2nd, and another in the 3rd. It took him walking the leadoff man in the 4th on four pitches for Boone to yank him. It was a disaster of a plan in all facets. There was no reason to believe Severino was going to turn his failures around just because he wasn't starting the game. It was a move based mainly around the concept of hope, which is also what the Yankees' front office is banking on in these last two months to turn around a nightmare of a season. Newsflash: if hope is your best strategy as a professional sports team you're probably fucked.
The last series the Yankees won that didn't come against the Royals or A's was on June 23-June 25 against the Rangers. They are about as cooked as can be. And what's great is that despite all of this, GM Brian Cashman's job is completely safe. His job security isn't even a talking point when it comes to Hal.
There's no job in all of sports with more of a leash than Brian Cashman's GM position. And Hal doesn't care because he doesn't like change. That's really all this comes down to.
Despite the mounting pressure, a source familiar with Hal Steinbrenner’s thinking says the owner has already decided one of the two will be back in 2024.
Cashman is safe.
According to the source, “The idea (of firing Cashman) isn’t even on the table. It’s not up for discussion.”
Boone’s fate is less certain, in part because he has only one year remaining on his contract. That, and the Yankees’ lackluster play throughout the 2023 season, have left Steinbrenner “deeply frustrated,” according to that same person with knowledge of Steinbrenner’s thinking.
The fact that his firing isn't even on the table as an idea is so depressing. Like yes, is Aaron Boone a problem? Absolutely. Are the data guys like Michael Fishman an issue? No question. But you know who orchestrates it all? Brian Cashman. As long as he's running the show nothing will change. The lack of positive direction with this team will continue and they will continue to fail. We have no chance with him pushing the buttons. Want a good way to waste the primes of Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole? Keep this ass clown employed.
Brian Cashman is the bane of my existence and I'm convinced I will die before he leaves the Yankees.
P.S. I can't believe I've never heard this story before, but it makes total sense.