Few MLB teams committed as many errors as the New York Yankees in 2023. General manager Brian Cashman has now added to that unfortunate tally of self-inflicted blemishes.
Last week, Cashman talked about the health of designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton in an interview with the New York Daily News. While saying that yes, Stanton remained important to the Yankees’ plans, he also made cutting remarks about his player being “injury-prone.” (Note: Stanton has missed at least 50 games in each of the last two seasons.)
Cashman would later clarify these remarks. Still, even while (kind of?) complimenting Stanton’s hitting talents, Cashman seemingly couldn’t help but continue to fan the flames of comments that almost certainly wouldn’t sit well.
More from the New York Daily News:
“We try to limit the time he’s [Stanton] down,” Cashman said. “But I’m not gonna tell you he’s gonna play every game next year because he’s not. He’s going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game. But I know that when he’s right and healthy — other than this past year — the guy’s a great hitter and has been for a long time.”
I don’t know what Cashman was thinking because there’s virtually zero chance any rational-minded human being wouldn’t take exception to being critiqued like that in a public setting. Naturally, after catching wind of Cashman’s criticism, Stanton’s agent, Joel Wolfe, responded with a passive-aggressive statement that essentially warned pending MLB free agents from signing with the Bronx Bombers. This is awful news for a team that figured to be a major player in this year’s MLB free-agent period.
Oh, what’s that? Stanton’s agent also represents phenom Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Uh-oh.
Giancarlo Stanton’s agent, Joel Wolfe, responds below to Yankees GM Brian Cashman saying of Stanton, “He’s going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game.” pic.twitter.com/gZHlqy4cfY
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2023
Well, that’s just about the worst possible outcome for Cashman, isn’t it?
Not only did his disappointing Yankees miss last year’s postseason, he might now have to backpedal his comments about Stanton’s health in order to keep New York’s clubhouse together for a hopeful big rebound in 2024. It’s a good thing the New York media is famously kind and fair and won’t pounce the moment Cashman’s team inevitably falls short of its goals and expectations.
Oh, right. Bravo to Cashman. He has probably brought the Yankees’ coming firestorm upon himself.
This was how Twitter reacted to Stanton's agent's warning about the Yankees
To recycle an analogy: Trading for Giancarlo Stanton and then being disappointed that he can't get healthy is like staring at the sun for 10 minutes and then getting mad at the sun that your eyes hurt. https://t.co/5doRQ7Vpz7
— Chris Towers …Is A Real Boy (@CTowersCBS) November 14, 2023
Why does Cashman still have a job with the Yankees? I’m not sure any potential free agent wants to hear the GM of a franchise talk like this about players under contract. Cashman should just quit and start his own podcast if he wants to openly talk about players. https://t.co/vEFHl8CXSJ
— Yankeesource ⚾️ (@YankeeSource) November 14, 2023
Giancarlo deserves much better! He should respectively request a trade out of New York!!
I speak for all Yankees fans when I say we would be very saddened by this decision but would totally understand!! https://t.co/wIjt8CuVcH
— Andrew (@AndrewwM_) November 14, 2023
Is there a “Yankee way” anymore? If so, what is it? Is this the deterioration of “Pinstripe Pride” occurring before our very eyes? The mythology & mystique of the pinstripes died with the rest of the ghosts in the old ballpark. Those were your grand dad’s Yankees. What is this? https://t.co/Wb750lF8ao
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) November 14, 2023
What Cashman did doesn't bother me
It's the way he said it. Could have just said:
"Stanton's issue is injuries. So our goal this year is to keep him healthy. We know if he stays on the field we have a player who can contribute to this organization"
Now you have a HUGE issue https://t.co/21DDNQS4kQ
— Antonio (@TheAntOrtiz) November 14, 2023
One ancillary effect of Moneyball is it would appear multiple front offices have completely lost the ability to publicly discuss their own players like they’re human beings. https://t.co/a32LvzhfzB
— Nathan Bishop (@nathan_h_b) November 14, 2023
The Yankees are officially dead. What a day! pic.twitter.com/ayMcujPSi3 https://t.co/VlSS0pNOWN
— Boston Sports Enjoyer (@DeversEnjoyer) November 14, 2023
Just because Cashman is right don’t mean he should say it out loud https://t.co/J8iXXr64Kr
— aaron. (@ayroned) November 14, 2023
I, for one, am shocked Stanton didn't take kindly to Cashman talking smack lol. https://t.co/slDNJUwa2b
— D.A. Osorio (@DA_Osorio) November 14, 2023
Cashman was wrong to say this publicly but… Stanton has missed 37% of games since joining the Yankees 🤷♂️ https://t.co/WIOvupU6v7
— Frank Stampfl (@Roto_Frank) November 14, 2023
