Brian Cashman 'wants a championship,' acknowledges Yankees roster may still need additions
TAMPA, Fla. – Whatever brought on the combative, mid-November version of Brian Cashman had faded as Yankees pitchers and catchers began workouts Thursday.
“We all want a championship, we want to deliver that,’’ Cashman said calmly. “It’s a long journey to get from here to there.’’
It’s been a title desert in the Bronx since 2009, and the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scheme left a bitter what-might-have-been feeling with Cashman and company since 2017.
Last year’s playoff-less season – termed “a disaster’’ by Cashman – snowballed with criticisms of roster construction, the club’s conditioning program and the application of analytics.
Even the team’s captain, Aaron Judge, openly wondered if the right information was being passed down to the players.
“I’m responsible for the baseball operations as GM,’’ Cashman said testily, three months ago. “If the owner wants to tag me out anytime he clearly can do that.’’
Cashman has since added slugger Juan Soto via trade, but the co-ace the Yankees coveted – free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto – signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Entering his 27th season as Yankees GM, Cashman feels he’s got a club that’s better positioned to compete for a title in 2024, but his effort toward that goal continues.
The idea of adding pitching
Asked if he’d ideally like to add pitching before Opening Day, Cashman wasn’t opposed.
It’s been challenging to find matches on the trade front due to high asking prices and the Yanks’ value of top-end prospects such as slugger Spencer Jones.
Notably, the Chicago White Sox’s Dylan Cease and the Cleveland Guardians’ Shane Bieber remain the subject of trade discussion, and the Miami Marlins have some talented, controllable starters.
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“We’re not pencils down by any means,’’ Cashman said. “If there’s ways to improve the club we’re always going to be open minded to that because we know what the goal is. It’s to be the last team standing.
“The more talent you have, the better chances you’re going to have, and the better chances you’re going to withstand injuries too.’’
"Open-minded'' on the free agent front, too
On the free agent side, Scott Boras’ lefty clients Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell remain available, and he Yanks’ previous interest in Snell can’t be ignored.
Speaking generally on the free agent front, Cashman said that “we’re always open minded. I don’t have a block on my call feed for any agents.
“I’m always open-minded to listen to what’s available as well as continue our dialogue with opposing general managers.’’
But with the addition of Marcus Stroman, and the hope of bounce back seasons by Carlos Rodon (last year’s big free agent acquisition) and Nestor Cortes to a staff led by ace Gerrit Cole, “we do like what we have here at the same time.
“But it’s a long season,’’ Cashman said. “And we’re certainly not going to assume that what we have now is going to be enough.’’
What Cashman wouldn't disclose is what, if any, budget parameters from ownership might allow for any additions.
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Putting 2023 in the rearview mirror
Seeing the likes of Rodon arrive in better condition than 2023, and with a leaner Giancarlo Stanton due to arrive with the position players next week, the Yankees at least begin in good shape.
“Clearly the health is going to be the most important aspect of it,’’ Cashman said, emphasizing the rotation. “If we can keep them healthy, we should be able to pitch with anybody.
“We have some depth we’re excited about too,’’ though that depth was compromised with the Soto trade, sending Michael King and three other pitchers to the San Diego Padres.
But with Chase Hampton, Will Warren, Clayton Beeter and Luis Gil in camp, “when and if injuries do occur, we’ve got guys knocking on the door,’’ Cashman said.
Meanwhile, the division champion Baltimore Orioles “already had a great team. Now they’ve added a frontline guy,’’ with the Corbin Burnes trade.
What the Yankees have, mostly, is a strong desire not to repeat the mistakes of 2023.
“We all have a bad taste in our mouth from last year, understandably so,’’ Cashman said. “Eighty-two wins was far short of anybody’s expectations.
“Because of that everyone’s internal motor was set in the right direction.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees 2024 roster may need additions, Brian Cashman says
