Posted on various Facebook Group pages, readers had a lot to say about the story I titled, “How Brian Cashman Unwittingly Dug The Hole The Yankees Are In”. ….
Before we get to the comments, please try to get a feel for what my website, Reflections On Baseball is – and isn’t. I do not pretend to be “connected” to either the Mets or Yankees as the receiver of inside information. I write what is felt and sensed about the trends associated with each team and with the same input as you from what I read or hear on MLB Sirius XM Radio, and the like.
Unlike some writers who dodge comments from the reader, I try to read them all, making an effort to answer as many as I can. Sometimes I communicate a clear thought while other times I miss the mark. Yesterday was a mix of both as you’ll see.
The point I was making is that the Yankees are lucky to have Brian Cashman as their GM. And further, Yankees fans are fortunate to have the tandem of Cashman and Yankees principal owner, Hal Steinbrenner, working closely together each season to put the kind of Championship caliber team that we’ll see on the field in 2019.
Having said that, though, no one is perfect, and Brian Cashman may have underestimated the Yankees (financial) ability to forcefully engage in the free agent market, and specifically to sign either Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, or way back when, even Patrick Corbin. And where I lost some readers is using the word ability – what does he mean? – the Yankees are a perennial money-making machine…
Of course, they are all that. But the point which got lost is the Yankees – with all the money in the world – need to deal with the socialism that is baseball – the luxury tax. As pointed out yesterday, the Yankees are over the cap already (and thanks to several readers who noticed my math error), and it’s going to get worse, not better over the next three to four years.
This, due to the impending arbitration years, and ultimately free agency, for stars like Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, and Gary Sanchez. Not to mention having to deal with Didi Gregorius and Dellin Betances, both of whom reach free agency after this season, along with players like Nolan Arenado and Gerrit Cole, both of whom the Yankees reportedly covet, and would like to sign. In effect, how far are they willing to go over the cap?
****So, on to the comments. The first exchange is one I found particularly thoughtful. It’s from Baseball – A Way Of Life:
Stewart Bryson Funny how the writer is comparing Ellsbury who has only one truly great season(who was 30 when he signed with NY) with Stanton who is just now entering his prime. He is a plus defender and he is going to be primed to crush the ball this season. This writer is wondering if NY should sign Didi to a multi year deal? Very strange.
Steve Contursi I want it all, too. Especially Didi. I just trying to figure how they’re going to do it without smashing the luxury tax completely.
Stewart Bryson Steve Contursi I have never understood why anyone would care how much billionaires or a billionaire corporation spends their money. I was surprised that they signed DJ. Not because of the money, but because it seemed as though Torres has a future at 2B. I HAD thought signing Manny for third would make sense to tighten up the infield defense along with his potent bat and move Andujar to DH. Maybe they move Didi who has an improving bat, but an average glove and take their chances that Manny will hit a ton at short, kind of like Jeter, without the horrid defense. The money. Don’t worry, because they raise the prices with or without these big signings.
**** From Yankees Daily, I found this exchange. And by the way, these types of comments offer little if anything to the discussion, so they receive less weight as I read them.
Scott Gorman This is absolute garbage.
Frank Corbin Jr This guy is clueless. First of all the luxury tax is only paid on the amount over the limit, not on the whole payroll!
Chris Daugherty Whoever wrote this article is clueless and just needs to stop
Vinny Maietta bullshit article on a bullshit website ….. anyone who believes this is a moron
**** And finally, from Bleeding Pinstripes Yankees Fan Club we have this dialog. I love the way Lynda sticks to her guns on this one…
Lynda Mollenhauer I don’t agree with that article at all. Cashman didn’t make a mistake with Stanton. Harper and Machado are not better then Stanton. The Yankees did not miss the boat in 2019. We got Paxton Happ Britton Ottavino and Tulo and DJ. No boat was missed just because we didn’t get Harper or Machado.
Gene VanAmburgh Jr. Lynda Mollenhauer And we’re not done yet, I think the twenty five guys going north haven’t been chosen yet
Lynda Mollenhauer Gene VanAmburgh Jr. We are talking about a possible World Series team here.
Gene VanAmburgh Jr. Lynda Mollenhauer I’ll believe it when it happens
Lynda Mollenhauer Gene VanAmburgh Jr. Get ready to be a believer!Steve Contursi Lynda Mollenhauer I have the same feeling about this team. Let ‘er rip!
A Brief Note:
Comments have not been edited. They appear as written. Lastly, thanks to the scores of readers who hit the “Like” button.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.
