Brian Cashman, the New York Yankees longest-tenured general manager, has come under scrutiny for the past couple of seasons due to questionable off-season and trade decisions. This season, as well, Cashman acted passively during the off-season, for which the team is currently paying the price.
Since last season, almost every other move made by Brian Cashman has acted against the Yankees. Be it the Aaron Hicks retention or Frankie Montas trade, the general manager is not in a position to defend any of his decisions. Amid this, an MLB insider working for EPSN network took a potshot at Cashman and named one trade that could possibly have resulted in the team’s downfall this season.
Jeff Passan Claims Brian Cashman Knew Josh Donaldson’s Trade Wouldn’t Work Out
Last season, the New York Yankees traded Josh Donaldson in a package deal with the Minnesota Twins. Donaldson, 35 at the time, was hitting .247 with 26 home runs. However, the move to the Bronx changed the infielder’s fortunes for the worse. Since the past couple of seasons, the baseman has hit a combined .207 with 25 home runs. Moreover, injury setbacks have further impacted Josh’s comeback run this season. Presently, the 38-year-old is on IL due to a calf injury, with a return almost unlikely. Amid this, ESPN insider Jeff Passan appeared on the “Michael Kay Show” and defended Cashman’s managerial decisions. While he did manage to justify the retention of Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu, Passan could help but criticize the GM for Josh Donaldson’s trade.
Jeff Passan claims that Josh Donaldson‘s trade looked terrible right from the start. As per Jeff, the Yankees knew beforehand that Donaldson’s teammates at Minnesota were not getting along well with the infielder. There existed a lot of tension and toxicity inside the Twins locker room. The MLB insider added that in no way that trade could have been overlooked in a positive way. He fails to understand how Brian Cashman came on board with the decision. Don’t know about Twins, but the veteran got along well in the Bronx. However, his performance was not remotely close to his standards. Indeed, the trade will go down in franchise history as one of the worst. Donaldson’s union with the 27-time world champion franchise was not meant to be.
Brian Cashman Breaks Silence On Aaron Boone’s Future
Meanwhile, rumors over Aaron Boone’s ouster at the end of the year have been gaining momentum for a while. The manager is likely to take a fall for the team’s downfall this season. Amid raging speculations, general manager Brian Cashman addressed a press conference and broke his silence on the matter. Cashman said that the mood in the front office is not ideal. Everybody is frustrated and embarrassed at the same time.
Further, Cashman added that at the end of the year, each and every member of the franchise is going to be evaluated, including the GM himself. Hence, for now, nobody’s job is guaranteed. Apparently, owner Hal Steinbrenner is pretty pissed with the team’s results and will demand answers shortly once the season ends.
