Monday, October 29, 2018

The Zen Puzzle of Brian Cashman

I have never actually had the privilege to travel to the Far East, and I'm afraid that my knowledge of Eastern philosophy is limited to, well, several fortune cookies from the mmid-80s.

Nevertheless, I believe that the great Zen masters would break the conundrum that is Brian Cashman down into four basic elements.   To wit:

1.  Cashman has no ability to identify or develop young baseball talent, or to employ those who do.

You would think this would be the one, indispensable qualification for being a baseball general manager, akin to, say, being able to see to drive a bus, or having two legs to play the role of Tarzan (old Cooke & Moore routine).

But apparently not.

2.  Cashman does not seem able to ever bring his team's vast advantage in money into play effectively.

If, say, Brian Cashman had signed Manny Ramirez as well as Mike Mussina for the 2001 season, the Yankees would probably have won many more pennants and World Series, and the Red Sox certainly would not have won one until at least 2013.

If, say, Brian Cashman had listened to Jason Giambi after signing him before the 2003 season and signed Johnny Damon as well, the Yankees would probably have won many more pennants and World Series, and the Red Sox certainly would not have won one until at least 2013.

If, say, Brian Cashman had signed Carlos Beltran when he was willing to sign with the Yankees at a discount before the 2005 season, the Yankees would probably have won many more pennants and World Series, and the Red Soc certainly would not have won one until at least 2018.

3. Cashman does not seem able to recognize that his team's only true competition in most seasons is the Boston Red Sox.

If, say, Brian Cashman had seen that the Red Sox were searching around desperately for a first baseman-designated hitter before the 2003 season and signed the recently released David Ortiz (as George Steinbrenner reportedly wanted him to) before they could, the Yankees would definitely have won many more pennants and World Series, and the Red Sox certainly would not have won one until at least 2018.

If, say, Brian Cashman had outbid the Red Sox for Yoan Moncada, he would then have been able to flip Moncada for the ace, Chris Sale, and—combined with any one of the previous eventualities above—the Yankees would have continued to win many more pennants and World Series, and the Red Sox would not have won a World Series to this day.

4. Defying the laws of inertia, Brian Cashman will remain the Yankees' general manager into the indefinite future.

If, say, Brian Cashman does remain the Tankees' general manager into the indefinite future, we would all be well-advised to follow the example of the Chongzhen Emperor, Zhou Fujian, the last ruler of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), who hanged himself with a yellow, silken sash from the limb of a scholar tree, rather than surrender to the barbarians from the north.

Or, you know, we could maybe spend more time reading, working out, or working on the backyard.






13 comments:

JM said...

If, say, Cashman's father had used a condom instead of deciding it was time to try and have a kid, we would have been spared everything, and Theo Epstein would be our General Manager for life. And the Cubs would still be trying to win a World Series, which they wouldn't have done since 1908.

Unknown said...

How about...allowing Andy Pettitte to leave following the 2003 season.....or NOT going after Jon Lester!

The mark of a great GM is constantly rebuilding with young talent to replace the aging stars BEFORE time runs out. I don't think he can be blamed for the AROD signing that tied hands as far as salary cap. But another sign of a great GM is to NOT REPEAT mistakes from the past. I give you Stanton.

Carl J. Weitz said...

Randy, he could be blamed for picking up Arod's contract after he opted out. He bid against himself. That wasn't the only time he pulled that stunt, either.


Horace: Well said!

Anonymous said...

HERE IS ANOTHER PUZZLE-PIECE FOR US TO DEVOUR...

AFTER ACTUALLY HEARING, THE WORDS FROM MANNY MACHADO'S MOUTH ABOUT HOW HE ISN'T "JOHNNY HUSTLE", AND HUSTLING "ISN'T MY CUP OF TEA"....

AFTER WATCHING HOW HE WAS NO FACTOR AT ALL, AND TURNED A SURE, OFF THE WALL DOUBLE, INTO A SINGLE, (IN THE WORLD SERIES NO LESS)....

BRIAN COOP CASHMAN AFTER SEEING AND HEARING ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES HOW NOT TO ACQUIRE THIS PLAYER, WILL DO EVERYTHING HE POSSIBLY CAN TO GET HIM.

MACHADO HAS PRACTICALLY TOLD US NOT TO TAKE HIM (WITHOUT HIM REALIZING IT).

.....AND DESPITE ALL THIS....

WE WILL THROW $325 MILLION DOLLARS AT THIS GUY.

THAT'S NOT "COOPERSTOWN"....

THAT IS "RUBBER-ROOM AT CREEDMORE".

TheWinWarblist said...

I believe that would have be "Doctor Bone Saw."

Unknown said...

I was under the impression that the ARod extension was all Hank Steinbrenner. Which is why Hank was prevented from making stupid moves after that.

13bit said...

Points 1, 2, and 3 can also be summarized elegantly as: "He is a moron."

Carl J. Weitz said...

Mark....here is a 2008 commentary from River Avenue Blues Sean Serritella. He implies it was Cashman as he lists it as one example of Cashman's mediocrity as GM.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/64889-my-thoughts-on-brian-cashman-and-the-2008-playoffs.

It is true that before ARod opted out that Cashman had said that if he did opt out then the Yankees would not pursue him. But they did. That was just the only leverage they had with ARod and it was no leverage at all after he hit 54 HR and drove in 117 RBI and batted .314.

It was under his role as GM. That includes both the good signings (too few )and the bad ones.

Unknown said...

The ARod contract was a big mistake. Another was not giving up Frazier for Cole. He has however rebuilt the Farm which will pay off over and over. Deadline trades this year were mostly a waste of prospects. Lets see what he does this Winter. Cash needs a big rebound fueled by big and smart trades.

Unknown said...

None of that will happen. Your opinion is rediculous. You shouldnt Post on here...you should post on Twitter so more peopla can tell you what an idiot you are.

Unknown said...

Where did you hear that? Just make it up?

Unknown said...

I stand corrected on the AROD "opt-out" I forgot about that.

Isiyku Abdulahi said...


I really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.