New deal for Cash imminent
Brian Cashman and the Yankees are reportedly close to finalizing a five-year, $25 million extension for him to remain as the club’s general manager.
While a person close to the situation confirmed the length of the deal is correct, the person didn’t confirm the dollars.
The $25 million is in line with what the industry is paying these days. Cubs president Theo Epstein is earning approximately $10 million per year, while Dodgers president Andrew Friedman is at $7 million.
Cashman, the Yankees’ GM since February 1998 and Baseball America’s Executive of the Year this past season, has never had a deal longer than three years, so Hal Steinbrenner’s willingness to go to five is a strong indication of how pleased he is with the job Cashman has done in the past two years.
Cashman’s trade deadline deals in 2016 strengthened an already strong minor league system and the July deals this past summer for Todd Frazier, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Sonny Gray played a big part in the Yankees making an unexpected run to Game 7 of the ALCS against the Astros, where the Yankees were denied a World Series ticket.
Cashman’s dealing of Brian McCann to the Astros following the 2016 season for two young arms was a bet that Gary Sanchez’s two months in 2016 weren’t a fluke. They weren’t, but Sanchez’s defense needs work.
Not bringing back Joe Girardi after averaging 91 wins across 10 years and managing the 2009 World Series winners was a bold move that Steinbrenner approved. So, too, was hiring Aaron Boone to replace Girardi despite Boone not being in a big league dugout since retiring following the 2009 season.