Boone, Cashman insist manager has final say
NEW YORK — Aaron Boone is not a puppet.
Yankees general manager Brian Cash man pushed back hard against the idea that his manager is just a public face for the front office—specifically the analytics department — which is actually making the day-to-day lineup and pitching decisions.
“None of that’s true,” Cashman said in a Zoomcall with reporters Wednesday. “I’ve never ordered a manager to do anything specifically and Aaron will be able to testify to that, as will Joe Girardi or Joe Torre.
“Not every manager agreed with suggestions made, and yet every manager was allowed to plot their own course, even with a disagreement. So I think there is a healthy debate that transpires, and then an all-in commitment once that decision is ultimately made.
“In terms of the lineup card and in-game strategies, those are the manager’s; it always has been. And as long as I’m the general manager, it never will be different.”
The rumors grew louder after the Yankees’ controversial decision to use rookie right-hander Deivi Garcia as an opener and then use J.A. Happ as a “bulk guy” in Game 2 of the American League Division Series imploded.
The Britt on question: Cash man was full of praise for Zack Britton, and not just because the Yankees’ lefty set-up man was dominant on the field this season.
Cashman said Britton, the Yankees players’ union rep, was great to deal with as the coronavirus pandemic-shortened season threw curveball after curveball at the team.
“I want to really give a major shout-out to Zack Britton, who obviously had the higher level of responsibilities as our player rep and the go-between with our ownership and front office on behalf of his teammates in a time that obviously was really difficult,” Cashman said.
Torres No. 1 for now: Gleyber Torres is the starting shortstop, at least for now.
The young slugger struggled defensively this season. It was exacerbated in the playoffs, when his mistakes came back on the already-exposed pitching staff.
“G le yb eris our short stop moving forward and we’re gonna evaluate all circumstances that best fit us,” Cashman said. “I think he’s capable of better defense in this really young year of his career. We will again game-plan and discuss with all parties involved, and if we feel something is a better way to go, then obviously we’ll discuss that.”
Notes: Domingo German, who missed the season serving a suspension under the M LB/ ML B PA joint domestic violence policy, still has to meet with the Yankees about his future. Tuesday, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said they wanted to see that German understood the severity of what happened and has dealt with it appropriately.