The Sommer Frieze

It will be an important offseason for the New York Yankees, and we now know who will be heading it.

Brian Cashman.

From Pete Abraham:

This release from the Yankees:

The New York Yankees announced today that they have reached an agreement with Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman to remain in the same role through the 2011 season.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM HAL AND HANK STEINBRENNER NEW YORK YANKEES CO-CHAIRPERSONS

RE: RE-SIGNING OF SR. VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER BRIAN CASHMAN

“Before we could move forward as an organization this off-season, we needed to come to a resolution on the person who would hold the important position of general manager and allow us to make another run at a 27th World Championship. We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years.

“Holding the position of general manager for any Major League team is a challenge. But to do so in the great city of New York, where baseball is passionately followed 12 months a year, you must possess a number of unique attributes.

“Brian has shown throughout his Yankees career that he has the dedication, integrity and know-how needed to perform—and succeed—in this environment. Having him in place allows us to begin an off-season of hard work, and we are pleased he will be working hand-in-hand with us to bring the New York Yankees back to the postseason.”

I know many don’t like Brian. He’s made his mistakes, that’s for sure. Over the past couple years, he has worked on trying to rebuild the Yanks. In making moves for the future, one thing the GM must do is some “weeding out.” Determining which of the prospects has a future and which ones don’t. The Betances, McAllisters, Hornes, Monteros, Justin Snyders, Austin Jacksons. Figuring out who is the foundation for the future, and who is trade bait. Now isn’t a time for a novice with little knowledge of the farm system to take over.

The job of rebuilding the farm system is far from over. Yes, there is some talent. There are also some gaping holes that can be seen throughout the system, particularly in position players. The titles won by SWB and Trenton don’t mask this. Yes, SWB won the International League, and it’s a nice accomplishment. But the Nick Green’s, Ben Broussards, Scott Stricklands, Eric and Shelley Duncans (not to mention Igawa) are not the future of the Yankee franchise. Some are has-beens or never was’es. Other are never will be’s.

There are some who may have wanted a change. The question is who they would have changed to. Who was out there that would have been a good fit for this organization. Who knew the organization, its players, the contracts, the prospects, the direction, the plan up and down, over and sideways, backwards and forwards. I don’t feel a successor was inherent within the organization. Some may have screamed for Gene Michael. I don’t feel that Stick, at 70, would want that responsibility. Being GM of the Yankees doesn’t lend itself to much down time. You are on, each and every day, from the moment you arise until the moment you go to sleep, and those hours of sleep are few.

Bringing in someone from outside the organization would have had its own set of problems. For one, Girardi wouldn’t have any “cover.”

So thanks for returning, Brian. Now right the ship. It won’t be easy, but at least the right man is in charge for a job that I’m sure was started by Brian himself some weeks ago.