Yankees' Offseason Has Been Heavy on Talk, Light in Substance

Filed under: Yankees, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Note: Brian Cashman took exception to the use of the word "backtracks" in this column, and I told him it was probably a poor choice of words in order to get off a one-liner. Cashman insisted he has not "backtracked" this winter but has often had to explain himself (usually as a function of the way modern media, in an era of immediacy, often lends itself to misinterpretation, misquoting or incompletness).

Cashman said he was misinterpreted on the Pettitte story -- the article was eventually taken down from the website -- that he was honest about being overruled on Soriano and that some outlets misquoted his Jeter/outfield remarks, forcing him to clarify his stance. I stand by my main point: Cashman's repeated appearance in somewhat controversial stories -- even if not his fault -- have partially covered up a Yankees offseason that hasn't gone as hoped, but that doesn't mean he is looking to leave New York. -- Ed Price

When the Yankees move Derek Jeter to center field, they have to hope he backtracks as well as Brian Cashman has this winter.

Three times in the past few weeks, Cashman has had to come up with ways to explain away some quotes.

The Yankees general manager said the New York Daily News misquoted him when it reported he said Andy Pettitte would not be able to pitch when the 2011 season opens but could come back midseason.

He declared he wouldn't sign reliever Rafael Soriano as a setup man because it would cost the Yankees their first-round draft pick. Once the Yankees did indeed sign Soriano, Cashman made it known that he was overruled by ownership.

He was then quoted, at a fan function, as saying that he didn't expect Jeter to last at shortstop for the entirety of his four-year contract extension, with a move to the outfield as the next step. Cashman played the "out of context" card on that one.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/yankees-offseason-has-been-heavy-on-talk-light-in-substance/

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