Cashman Honored

As the title suggests Brian Cashman was given an honor by, get this, the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

I have given Cashman a bit of a hard time recently but I do regard him as a very good GM. For the record I think Theo Epstein is one of the best GM's in baseball. Which is why this should be considered an especially great achievement for Cashman. I just hope it's not a trick and when he gets there they don't pelt him with rocks, and burn him at the stake.

Mr. Cashman I Call Bullshit

Cashman has stated that since Nick Johnson will not be playing the field he is at less of a risk than when he was playing the field and that is why the signing isn't as risky as everyone feels. I have to disrespectfully disagree. I'm not gonna say that playing both defense and offense is less risky than just hitting. I will argue that there is just about the same amount of risk. Cashman said that a lot of freak injuries have plagued Johnson and not something they have to worry about blowing up and coming back, ie Matsui's knees. However batting and running the bases provide a ton of opportunities to run into freak injuries. Every at-bat has the looming risk of being hit with the ball and that can break bones, cause concussions, pull muscles, or tear muscles. I dislocated my knee cap swinging in a slow-pitch softball league so the threat of injury can come literally with every swing. Next you have the freak injuries that occur running the bases. Need proof look at Chien Ming Wang, he was injured on a play that he scored standing up on and was done for the season. Lastly there are collisions accidental and purposeful running the bases. Let's say that Johnson is on first, a likely situation, and slides hard to break up a double play and collides with the second baseman. Not a ridiculous situation but potentially hazardous.

I'm not saying that Johnson is going to get hurt. I'm saying I don't buy Cashman's rationalization of signing Johnson.

Recreating '04

I'm not really sure what is going on. Cashman might be trying to relive 2004 and rewrite history. It seems like he looked back and got rid of what didn't work and is bringing back stuff from that year that might work.

There is a trade that is pending approval between the Braves and Yankees with the centerpieces being Melky Cabrera and former Yankee Javier Vazquez. This move is extremely questionable. I can't even see myself coming around on this one. Why get rid of Melky Cabrera who was not great but certainly clutch and unquestionably good for team morale. Bringing in Vazquez is not a bad move... at the trade deadline, not in the offseason. There are plenty of 4th starters available in the free agent market, like Jon Garland, Ben Sheets, etc., and we are down an outfielder now. I don't understand this. Brett Gardner in LF makes me very uncomfortable seeing as how we had previously improved our outfield, yes I have changed my mind. With this move the Yankees backup outfielder is now Juan Miranda barring some signing or, God forbid, another trade. I can't see how this trade works on any front and just seems like an unnecessary move.

What The Hell?

I've noticed something. Grown-ups never say exactly what they mean.

General Manager Brian Cashman was asked many times what his priorities were this offseason and every time he said "Pitching, pitching, pitching". That implies that he intends to sign some pitchers in the offseason (three if you are reading literally). What that meant was he wanted to re-sign Andy Pettitte.

It is frustrating to hear one thing and see another acted out.