Brian Cashman did not hide from his response when he addressed the media for the first time since the Yankees finished the 2020 season. At the general managers’ meetings, Cashman came out swinging and pushed back against criticisms of the Yankees’ analytics department and the team’s performance during the 2023 season.
The Yankees’ general manager was animated and unapologetic in his defense of the team’s baseball operations group who were responsible for putting together a roster that resulted in an 82-win season, the team’s lowest victory count since 1992. Despite the disappointing season, Cashman made it clear that he has full faith in the franchise’s track record of success.
According to Cashman, the Yankees are a “pretty f–king good” team who should be proud of their process and their people. He also looks forward to bouncing back in the 2024 season and proving their doubters wrong. Cashman also distinguished between fact and “bulls–t,” indicating that critics were mostly piling on during a down year for the team.
Cashman indicated that injuries and underperformance were the main reasons for the Yankees’ downfall in 2023. He listed the Yankees’ injuries, including Aaron Judge tearing a ligament in his toe and Anthony Rizzo developing post-concussion syndrome, as key factors. Cashman also defended the Yankees’ strength and conditioning staff, stating that injuries were not solely related to their performance.
“I think we’re pretty f—ing good, personally, and I’m proud of our people”
Cashman on the Yankees’ staff and organization pic.twitter.com/B6JjQRTC79
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) November 7, 2023
Furthermore, Cashman pushed back on the idea that the Yankees are run analytically, saying that analytics is just one spoke in the wheel and not the driver of the team’s decisions. He cited the Yankees’ small analytics staff in the AL East and their large pro scouting department in the majors as proof.
In terms of their player development, Cashman was adamant in his defense of their track record with young players. He stated that the same people who have been responsible for the team’s success are now being blamed for the 2023 season’s poor performance. He also believes that injuries and underperformance were the main contributors to the team’s 82-win season.
Cashman also addressed the criticism of the Yankees’ recent trades, saying that while some may have backfired, the team was “victimized” for trying to win. He believes that the Yankees have been unfairly portrayed in the media and that many narratives about their organization have been exaggerated.
In closing, Cashman reaffirmed his faith in their process and their people, stating that despite the team’s down year in 2023, the Yankees are still a strong and successful organization. He looks forward to 2024 being a better year and proves to the critics that the Yankees are not a team to be underestimated.
