Dump the Cash Man

Brian Cashman is either incompetent a complete fool, or both. A few days ago, desperately seeking a left handed “specialist,” which is the way baseball “people” refer to a left handed pitcher who cannot get out right handed hitters, Cashman was blind sided when the Red Sox obtained Scott Sauerbeck from the Pirates. Cashman admitted, seemingly with some inexplicable feelings of perverse delight, that he had known nothing of the impending trade.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Cashman promptly called Kevin Towers, his pal from San Diego, and managed to get a left handed specialist who is 46 years old and who has a season ERA of 7.56. Cashman was vindicated, at least in his own mind, George Steinbrenner’s wrath was cut off at the pass, and Joe Torre, always the company man, expressed pleasure at Cashman’s acumen.

Today, a few minutes ago, the Mets announced that they had sent Graeme Lloyd to Kansas City for minor league reliever Jeremy Hill, who spent most of the season with Omaha, compiling a 1-3 record with one save and an ERA of 7.81. With the Mets, Lloyd was 1-2 with a 3.31 ERA.

Often, subtle events shape the future because they are significant but not obvious. Getting Orosco and not getting Lloyd is symptomatic of Brian Cashman. Without going into a litany of past trades and signings, Cashman absolutely does not comprehend what made the 1996-2000 Yankees winners. Joel Sherman of the New York Post, in a July 21 column, related that the current Yankees have only two players, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, whose professionalism, commitment to winning, and ability under extreme pressure cannot be questioned. Compare that number to the number before Cashman went to work. Cashman doesn’t get it.

Managers don’t have to play with the minds of winners. Jeter and Rivera know what to do and they go out, try to do it, and usually succeed. Graeme Lloyd came over from Milwaukee in 1996. He was not welcomed. The trade was almost nullified. But Lloyd is a winner, both on and off the field. Graeme knows what to do because he has done it before. He doesn’t have to be coddled. His manager doesn’t have to play with his mind. To whom do you think the above quote refers? But Cashman doesn’t get it. He never will. At least he got Orosco and not Jeremy Hill.

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