As expected, the Yankees’ bullpen swap of Andrew Miller for David Robertson was more about economics than an assessment of each pitcher’s potential performance over the next four years. By suggesting that Robertson priced himself out of the Yankees’ plans, GM Brian Cashman admitted as much. Considering the meaningful savings and relative competence of each pitcher, the penny wise choice doesn’t necessarily mean it will turn out to be pound foolish. However, more concerning to Yankee fans should be other statements made by Cashman that suggest both a level of dishonesty and disconnect with the team’s rank and file fan base.
The most eyebrow raising comment from Cashman was his admission that, despite statements to the contrary, the Yankees had no intention of signing both Miller and Robertson, and, in fact, never made their incumbent closer an offer. According to the GM, he did this to prop up Robertson’s market, which is not only a little condescending to the reliever, but also a big fat lie. Undoubtedly, Cashman isn’t the first MLB executive to manipulate the media during a contract negotiation, but his bold-faced admission and use of deception for the perceived benefit of a third party is more unique. What’s more, it’s also contrary to a code of conduct to which Cashman himself has professed to adhere.
In September 2008, Joe Girardi was wrapping up his first turbulent year as Yankee manager, and one of the most common complaints about his stewardship was a tendency toward deception when it came to addressing the media. These allegations came to a head when the media accused Girardi of misleading them about Mariano Rivera’s “cranky shoulder”. According to reports, the GM privately apologized for his manager’s conduct and forced Girardi to make a public apology. The end didn’t justify the means then, so why should it now?
Does Cashman owe the media an apology for his lie? Let them sort that out. Yankee fans should be more concerned about how the team’s GM regards their engagement with the team. After all, Cashman also led them astray, giving false hope to fans who might actually have an emotional attachment to one of the team’s longest tenured players.
Cashman’s dishonesty is only a small part of the story. The bigger issue is the franchise’s increasing disregard for tradition and gradual dissolution of the idea that there is a “Yankee Family”. Robertson is the latest in a growing line of popular Yankee free agents who have been dismissed without a competitive offer. Last year, a half-hearted attempt was made to keep Robinson Cano, and the year before Nick Swisher and Russell Martin were shown the door without an offer. Even before that, the Yankees played hardball with Derek Jeter, of all people. Although being a Yankee doesn’t come with a lifetime guarantee, the team has rarely shown such disregard for factoring tradition into its decision making.
At the heart of the team’s new ambivalence toward retaining their own players is the notion that clothes do in fact make the man. “I would think the fan base is connected to the pinstripes”, Cashman stated in defense of the team’s new penchant for letting its own free agents depart, but what are the pinstripes without tradition, and where does that leave the fans?
Do the Yankees still believe they owe it to the fans to build the best possible team each and every season? Is cultivating the franchise’s tradition still worth spending a few extra dollars? Or, is a healthy profit margin just as important as a lofty winning percentage and proud tradition? To this point, the team’s brass has had all the right answers, but their actions have spoken louder than the hollow words. Yankee fans deserve the truth, and it’s time for the team to start telling it.
I agree 100% ! I am 70 years and have been a fan for as long as I remember. One thing that you hear everyone talk about, even players, is the Yankee Tradition. I’m afraid that’s gone and replaced by greed and the notion that the Yankees are like all other teams. They aren’t. At least until now. It makes me sad!
I disagree 100%.
The Yankees made an offer to Robertson and after signing Miller Cashman helping Robertson is truth not lies. You have to put on your big boy pants to understand that negotiations can’t be done publicly and is completely different than Girardi talking about day to day operations.
Swisher & Martin were not homegrown and were hated by Yankee fans. Martin was offered 3-20 before the season and turned it down then he hit .200. Could you imagine Swisher in NY now?
They also rightfully let Abreu & Matsui go and would’ve been right to let Jeter go.
7-175 to Cano is half hearted? You’re the only one that thinks that.
Also, I root for the laundry. I don’t care who the players are, I just want the team to win. That’s the tradition—winning. There’s a reason for no names on the jersey.
Cashman’s not disconnected but someone is.
You must be quite young for my memory goes back to the Yankees not giving raises to Joe D and Mick and trading Maris and Ruth.
Please give me a management that is smart. Letting Cano go will be seen as a great decision in time. It was clear that Robbie was set on a record contract.
Admittedly I am in the minority who believe Miller is better than Robertson but even if wrong the draft pick and money saved makes Cashman’s decision wise.
The man is trying to rebuild while staying competitive and mostly he hears from whiners.
Pathetic!
It makes no sense to compare the Yankees’ actions during the reserve clause era to now. Had the Yankees played hardball with a free agent Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, they would have been gladly gobbled up by another team, just as was the case with Robinson Cano.
What you don’t seem to understand is the Yankees enjoy a protected market and tax free financing of a new ballpark, which allow the team to make ever increasing revenue. If you’d prefer the team pocket that money instead of spend it, that’s fine, but it takes no “smarts” to do that.
What’s pathetic are fans who have no understanding of the team’s finances and instead buy into the party line. Fans like that deserve mediocrity. Unfortunately, those who rightfully expect the team to invest in payroll at a level commensurate with the revenue they earn from fans have to pay the price as well.
Gardner and D-Rob have been, for several years, my favorite Yankees after Mo, so I am sorry to see High Socks depart. Realistically I think the closer role is a bit overrated, and a luxury for any team that isn’t contending. I tend to believe that the Yankees will be, at best, borderline contenders for the next 2-4 seasons, as they wait for contracts to expire. By the time the Yankees have shed their dead weight, seen which of their kids can produce, and are ready to come back full bore, DRob would be near the end of his deal, and in all likelihood, in a decline. There were plenty of other teams out there willing to give him his deal and be at least as likely to make the postseason as the Yankees in the near future. Miller’s next best bet was Houston.
I don’t object to the head fake – remember the dinner with Carl Crawford? It sorta sucks for fans but if you’re going to be a hot stove spectator, you need to appreciate that there is a game within the game.
Shedding bad contracts while signing free agents and developing players isn’t mutually exclusive. They can do all three if they choose to do so.
I do like that they’ve spent money on international and minor league free agents, we’ll see how that strategy pays off.
Except they can’t shed their bad contracts for 2 or 3 years, which limits both their payroll and roster flexibility. And CC, Teix, ARod and Beltran aren’t even guys that they can trade away so long as they eat money. Perhaps this is a team that can afford to add one more marquee player, but I doubt they can afford two more. But it is also not a team where one more marquee player will make a difference, so why not wait until conditions are more favorable?
If you go by their historical spending pattern, they can add about $40-$50 million in payroll. In this era of mediocrity, that can make a big difference. Also, there’s value in staggering big contracts, so simply waiting three years and then re-loading in a big way could come with even greater risk.