In a recent interview on WFAN with hosts Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman addressed questions about the team’s urgency to win. But the fiery arguments soon turned the interview into an intense exchange between Tierney and Cashman.
The WFAN host had raised concerns about the perceived lack of urgency, referencing past examples such as Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks, who received extended chances despite recent struggles.
Tierney noted that this season feels reminiscent of previous years, questioning whether owner Hal Steinbrenner’s approach had shifted and suggesting a perceived absence of the aggressive win-now mindset that once defined the franchise.
“If the urgency was always there, why was Gallo given the leash that he was?” he asked. “Why was Hicks given the leash that he was? I know that Hal wants to win. And I know that you want to win. But the highest of urgency to win, I have not seen that the last couple of years quite the way we used to in the past. I haven’t. And I don’t think I’m alone. So that’s why I ask. It doesn’t feel different with Hal this year — at all?”
Although Tierney acknowledged the positive impact of acquiring Jazz Chisholm at the trade deadline, he highlighted ongoing depth issues, a challenge that has plagued the Yankees in recent seasons.
In response, Cashman humorously suggested drug testing to underline his disagreement with Tierney’s assessment. He pointed to the team’s roster moves and financial investments as evidence of their commitment to winning.
“I guess I’d have to get that drug tester over there and let you pee in a bottle so we can get that sample tested,” the Yankees GM said. “I’m obviously joking. But at the end of the day, I would provide — look at the roster. Look at the expenditures.”
The exchange brings to light the ongoing debate over the Yankees’ approach and urgency in their quest for a championship. While Cashman defends the organization’s strategy and spending, critics like Tierney feel the team is missing the assertive mindset that has historically driven its success.
This discussion reflects the tension between traditional expectations for immediate success and the realities of contemporary baseball management, which includes balancing long-term planning with short-term goals.
New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman defended the team’s commitment to winning by highlighting several key acquisitions and re-signings. Cashman pointed to the re-signing of Aaron Judge after his 2022 MVP season, the acquisition of Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole in 2019, and the recent trade for Juan Soto. He also cited the retention of DJ LeMahieu during his free agency, emphasizing that these high-profile moves were intended to enhance the team’s chances of success.
“The retention of Aaron Judge. You’ve got an MVP. You’ve got a Cy Young Award winner. You got an MVP candidate imported at big money. You’ve got a retention of an MVP candidate a couple of years back with [DJ] LeMahieu when he was a free agent. These are just examples. All designed — as the payrolls go higher — of improving your chances, of trying to stay in it, trying to fight for it. So I would refute what you’re saying. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Cashman argued that these transactions, alongside rising payrolls, reflect the Yankees’ ongoing efforts to compete at the highest level. He firmly rejected claims that the organization lacks urgency to secure a championship.
Further supporting his stance, Cashman mentioned the 2017 trade for Giancarlo Stanton, who had just won the NL MVP with the Miami Marlins after hitting 59 home runs.
Despite these efforts, Cashman acknowledged that the ultimate goal for the Yankees is winning the World Series—a title they have not claimed since 2009. He noted that while this drought might not be extensive by general standards, it is particularly significant for a franchise with the Yankees’ storied history.
Addressing criticism over the extended opportunities given to struggling players like Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks, Cashman explained that such decisions are influenced by the alternatives available and the team’s ability to acquire them at the time. He emphasized that the team’s performance in the World Series will ultimately determine the success or failure of their strategies and pursuit of victory.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Cashman is a Big Failure !!!
Cashman’s ability to put together a solid baseball team since getting the OK from Hal to go all-in on analytics all these years ago. His current setup is bad, and been bad even at deadline time, since how they do development is just plan AWFUL.
Cashman is doing a terrible job. why do they keep using Torres? he leads all 2nd basemen in errors. He has 14.as the worse, counting errors as seen by whoever keeps track of them. If they watch the full games, he has a lot of errors that aren’t counted. I say that if any runner is called safe. because of a goof by a fielder, that goof should be counted. I know they can’t assume a double play, so if Torres doesn’t throw the ball correctly and the runner at 1st base is safe, he is not charged with an error. why not? that batter/runner should be out. He does not seem to care– but if he does get a good hit and drives in a few runs, he holds his hands high and looks for cheering! I hope they don’t keep him, and have to pay him when they let him go. The Yankees are known for holding on to players and have to buy out big $$$ amounts.
AT A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL …
“BRIAN CASHMAN” HAS BEEN A FAILURE TO THE “YANKEE EMPIRE” , “YANKEE TEAM” AND
“THE HARDCORE YANKEE FANS” !!!.
“BRIAN CASHMAN” HAS BROUGHT”THE YANKEE TEAM” DOWN TO FAILURE SINCE THE PASSING OF
“THE GREAT GEORGE STEINBRENNER ” !!!.
RESEARCH ALL THE YEARS OF “BRIAN CASHMAN” IN CONTROL OF “THE YANKEE EMPIRE” ALONG WITH RANDY LEVINE . ITS A DISGRACE !!!.
THEY BOTH HAVE CREATED NOTHING BUT FAILURE.
THE PROOF IS IN PUDDING !!!.
ALSO , AARON BOONE HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ” THE YANKEE TEAM” SINCE HE’S BEEN HIRED AS MANAGER !!!.
WE’VE GONE THRU COACHES AND PLAYERS OVER THE YEARS UNDER THE “CASHMAN REGIME ” !!!.
HAL STEINBRENNER AND PARTNER NEEDS TO TRULY GET A PLAN TOGETHER TO REPLACE
“CASHMAN , LEVINE , AND BOONE” !!!.
BRIAN CASHMAN IS THE LEADER OF THE PROBLEM
IN THE “YANKEE EMPIRE” AND THE TEAM !!!.
ITS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A SERIOUS MOVE LIKE THIS . BUT , IT’S TIME TO BEING IN “NEW BLOOD” AND LEAD THE TEAM TO A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP . “THE YANKEE TEAM” IS ON A 4 GAME WINNING STEAK WHICH THEY HAVEN’T DONE IN A COUPLE MONTHS.
PUT THE RIGHT PROFESSIONALS IN …TO REPLACE
“THE PROBLEM” THAT WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE
“THE PROBLEM” !!!!.
ENOUGH SAID !!!.
GOD BLESS 🙏 AMERICA
GOD REST🙏 GEORGE STEINBRENNER
AMEN !!!.
FIGHT. , FIGHT , FIGHT 💪
Look as far as payroll, it’s obvious the Yankees have high #’s, but in % of revenue they fall way behind. So they make a larger profit. Hal is an accountant and he values profit over winning. That is the failure of the Yankees. Cashman is naturally a company man who has a secure contract. So he will support the company line. NO, we fans do NOT believe the Yankees had an urgency to win. Forget Flahery, we truly needed bullpen help. We needed more than just two guys. Cashman should have gone after Tanner Scott and Yates (Rangers) to steady that now weak (just like the past 3 season) worn down bullpen. IThe Yanks didn’t need a SP. They needed fresh bullpen arms. They way Boone uses the bullpen early in the season, always burns out in August. Holmes is an All-Star before the break. Then he is that weak RP in the 2nd half. That’s his M/O. Cashman (and Boone) know this and Cash didn’t do enough to carry the team to the finish line. yes, there is also the matter of increasing payroll above the Mets and Dodgers, but the Mets don’t have the revenues that the New York Yankees do, but Hal (as principle owner) probably gave the order to keep payroll in line. Cashman is following his bosses orders. That created the let’s pull back mentality. let’s face it, from a baseball perspective, Yankees are horrible in assembling a team. As a business, Hal and Company is raking in record profits. They are selling the Brand, not the “team”. You watch, Hal/Cashman will make a weak offer so that when LA, Mets, or Boston or Toronto decide to offer Soto a strong contract. Hal/Cashman will say, thise other teams just topped our (weak) offer. Hal has no intention to have a $650-$700m player. They should explore the Othani effect.(which is really, the Bobby Bonilla effect!). I have reduced my feeling about the Yankees whom I have followed since 1968. This is an average organization who won’t win a Championship in the Hal/Cashman era. 2009 really belong to George’s influence prior to 2009. I equate it to the Cowboys (built by Jimmy Johnson) but leftover for That Oklahoma Sooner revealing in Jimmies shadow. Jerry Jones also acted like it was him. No it was Jimmy Johnson’s crew. notice how they haven’t won in 29 years. Yanks are trying to match the Cowboys. I expect Hal to last 15 more years as a loser franchise, but a money maker for Hal. That is an Accountants goal, profit, not winning. It comes down to what the fans will accept. Mediocre Hal, or maybe a winning Owner like the Orioles have gotten.
Payroll and winning do not go hand in hand. Yes, you can pay a lot of money to the players, that does not mean they are the correct players for the team. They need the heart and desire to play the game to win a championship. As I have been told many times in the past, the players need to want to win more than you want them to win. Show pride for your organization. The Yankees are the TOP of the WORLD franchise. Act like it. Quit just going thru the motions and bust your tail to win and be proud of what you have accomplished. Then money can come your way, but you can’t let it get in your way. This is why the players in the minors work so hard and play like it means something. this team could be better if they were hungry and not given everything. Earn it!