LISTEN: Yankees' Cashman Talks 3-Year Deal, Firing Of Hitting Coach Long
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Yankees have re-signed Brian Cashman to a three-year contract following one of their most disappointing seasons since he became general manager.
He spoke at length with WFAN's Mike Francesa on Friday, covering a variety of topics, including his frustrations over the past two seasons, the firing of coaches and friends Kevin Long and Mick Kelleher, how he plans on filling the void left at shortstop due to Derek Jeter's retirement and what his expectations are for Alex Rodriguez.
Brian Cashman
Cashman has been New York's GM since 1998, when the Yankees won the World Series in his first season. He has built three more championship teams, most recently in 2009.
Cashman said during a conference call that he wants to "find a way to get our fan base back to enjoying October sooner rather than later."
The 47-year-old Cashman has been in his job longer than every GM in baseball except San Francisco's Brian Sabean and Oakland's Billy Beane.
The Yankees have missed the postseason the last two seasons, the first time they've done that since 1992-93. Now he has to turn around a roster that was one of the lightest hitting in the AL and fix a rotation that had four of five members spend time on the disabled list.
Rodriguez will return from a yearlong suspension and turn 40 next season. Finding a way to get him to contribute in a lineup with no shortage of DH candidates will be one of his challenges.
As will be finding a shortstop to replace the retired Jeter.
"We're always looking to be better at every spot," Cashman said. "We will be looking at Brendan Ryan and (asking) are there obtainable shortstops above Ryan."
Cashman also addressed the departures of hitting coach Long and first base coach Kelleher. Long had been the hitting coach since 2007.
"I think he tried everything in his power," Cashman said. "I think Kevin can sleep at night knowing he tried every tool in the toolbox.""
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