Yankees, GM Brian Cashman Agree To New Three-Year Contract

Cashman Agrees To Three-Year Contract Extension With Yankees

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has agreed to a new three-year deal through the 2011 season, according to King & Hale of the N.Y. POST. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Cashman's previous three-year deal was worth $5.4M, and "since pay cuts are rare, it's safe to assume Cashman's new pact is on the other side" of $6M. MLB sources indicated that Cashman "could have left" the Yankees for GM roles with the Phillies or Mariners and was "atop the list of another team that is going to soon have a GM opening." But Cashman said, "I am glad we got something finalized so we can concentrate on getting to work." Yankees co-Chair Hal Steinbrenner said of Cashman returning to the team, "I think we've said all along that it was very important" (N.Y. POST, 10/1). Steinbrenner and co-Chair Hank Steinbrenner in a statement said, "We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years." The AP's Tyler Kepner reports Yankees execs -- including the Steinbrenners and President Randy Levine -- "all wanted Cashman back," but the team "wanted an answer quickly, because they face a busy off-season after missing the playoffs" for the first time since '93. (AP, 10/1). ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said, "I don’t think the Yankees wanted to let him get away because despite not making the playoffs this year, they understand one thing -- they have kept those young players in their system because of the plan that Brian Cashman put in place, and it is going to make the Yankees better down the line” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/30). MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported Cashman was "among the key proponents pushing for the Yankees to incorporate youth into their Major League roster instead of dealing prospects and large amounts of cash for available stars" (MLB.com, 9/30). SportsNet N.Y.'s Mark Malusis said, "Here’s what it comes down to: it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Obviously, he’s got a good relationship with the Steinbrenners” (“Loudmouths,” SNY, 9/30).

WHO'S IN CHARGE? On Long Island, Wallace Matthews writes last season, Cashman "clearly did not know which Steinbrenner to listen to," and there were "two voices in Cashman's ear, which was one voice too many." The Yankees' "power is all in the hands of Prince Hal, the man who speaks softly and carries a big checkbook." Hank Steinbrenner now is "strangely silent around the Yankees offices," as he did not appear at Yankee Stadium for either the MLB All-Star Game in July nor the final game at the ballpark earlier this month (NEWSDAY, 10/1).