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December 03, 2007
Cashman Out Of The Santana Loop?
Gordon Edes of the Globe offers some insight this afternoon (2 pm ET) on the Yankees and Red Sox comings and goings today:
You're waiting for news on Johan Santana, and while we've spoken with any number of baseball people who think the Sox should make the deal, even if it involves Jacoby Ellsbury, there is very little of a substantive nature that has come out thus far. We ran into Terry Francona, dressed in sweats, who was off to see a friend ... he pleaded ignorance when asked if anything was going on. Pitching coach John Farrell also passed by, but said he had yet to be brought up to speed.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman, meanwhile, had yet to arrive. GM Theo Epstein and his aides have been holed up in the Sox suite, holding meetings and making phone calls, and there remains a school of thought that the Sox’ primary interest is driving up the price for the Yankees. One Sox type told me a little while ago that there may be more rumor than substance to what has been reported to date, which is par for the course at these things, though we are persuaded by our sources that Ellsbury and Jon Lester have been offered in different packages.
Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner was remarkably blunt and public in comments expressing the team's desire to get Santana, and in setting a deadline of today; Steinbrenner may have crossed the line into tampering with some of his comments. Trust me, Sox brass are far more careful about even breathing Santana's name.
Here’s a thought: If the Yankees told the Twins that today is the day to fish or cut bait on Santana, then why is Brian Cashman taking his sweet time to get down to the meetings today? Does this suggest that Cashman is not driving the deal from the Yankees side?
Yeah, I know, he has a cell phone and stuff. But, still, if it really is the 11th hour on these talks, and everyone else is down there already, where’s Brian? Again, unless this whole deal is out of his hands...right?
Think about it - the deadline is midnight and, as of 2 pm, Cash is MIA. Something there is not adding up.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 3, 2007 04:32 PM
Comments
I am not surprised by Cashman's absence. From all reports, he did not support inclusion of Hughes in the deal for Santana. Although he is surely still in charge of the lower-level deals (e.g., the quest for set-up releivers), he seems to have been gently pushed aside in the main arena. Whether this reflects a long-term reduction in his power remains to be seen.
Posted by: The Scout ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 3, 2007 05:30 PM
Is Hank there?
Posted by: redbug at December 3, 2007 05:59 PM
PeteAbe reports that Cashman arrived at about 4 PM (3 PM Nashville time).
Posted by: mehmattski at December 3, 2007 06:00 PM
Can I ask why you would think the "Boston Globe" would know diddly about the Yankees ? They can't even get the information straight about their own team, let alone any other team.
Really. The Globe says... That's a good one.
Posted by: Sherard at December 3, 2007 06:06 PM
I think you are reaching there. Where are the officials flying from? are they the Tampa contingent? Then obviously they would be on different flights. Maybe his flight was delayed because of the weather? They might have a meeting set up with the twins later in the afternoon, or maybe the deadline reported is not accurate.
Posted by: Rich M at December 3, 2007 06:23 PM
Somewhere around 1:00 ET ESPN had a story up on their website saying the Yanks and Minni were sitting across the table. That story came down between 1:30 and 2:00 ET. Several possibilities. Maybe the talked. Maybe they were scheduled to talk and decided not to. Maybe they sat down to try and move forward. Maybe they sat down and said never mind. Maybe ESPN blew it.
3 cheers for Hank doing his best Jack Nickelson..."Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." Enough is enough. When you are negotiating with someone and they ask for X, Y, and Z, and you give it to them, they need to accept it or you need to walk away.
Yanks with Santana (and Andy and Wang and Joba) would probably have the best starting 4 in baseball in '08. Don't know if you could say the same with Phil. Right now if you were to ask... Would I want Santana or Hughes going in a game seven in '08?.... it’s not even close; give me Santa. But, I wouldn't be heartbroken either way, as long as they can shore up the Melkyless outfield somehow. Kennedy, Moose, Rasner, Karstens et al for the 5th spot and our injury/ineffectiveness back up sounds pretty good too.
Posted by: #15 at December 3, 2007 08:09 PM
Could all of the public proclamations from Hank, coupled with Cashman being silent be part of a grand plan???
Posted by: Cooper at December 3, 2007 08:15 PM
I don't think there is any evidence that he is out the loop. I do think, however, that there is significant evidence that his role has been reduced, at least with respect to this issue.
Posted by: Rich at December 3, 2007 09:16 PM