Whither Cash?

Brian Cashman's Yankee GM deal is up, and Buster Olney reports he and the Yanks will wrap up a new deal in the coming weeks. This is as it should be, of course. People see Cash as having an easy job because of the enormous revenue advantage the Yanks have over other teams. But Yankee fans realize it is not an easy job, that there is always pressure to win now, while there continue to be owners who sometimes go against his recommendations, as the Steinbrenner's did what they signed Soriano last winter. Cash has walked the minefield with aplomb and damn good results.

Since Cash became the GM in the 1998, the Yankees have only missed the post season once. That's amazing given the number of players, and great players he's had to replace at times.

What has really been impressive is the way he has won of late while re-building the farm. I hope he insists on bigger draft budgets in his new deal. As we've seen, the Yankee scouts are finding impact preps, even as late as the Yanks are always drafting, and they should be able to lock them all up every year. Damon Oppenheimer and his scouts deserve more than the Yanks are giving them to work with.

I'd also really like to see him secure bigger budgets for International Free Agency. When George was sentient, there rarely seemed to be an IFA budget, though there were idiotic draft budgets until Cash started opening those up in `05 and `06. Over the past few years we've learned of corruption in the IFA system they had in place mid-decade, but it seems with Mark Newman and Donny Rowland now running IFA, they should have a budget commensurate with their ability to find kids. Rowland is in the scouting hall of fame. They have been finding some bargains, but they shouldn't just be bargain hunters down there. They haven't given out a big bonus since they signed Gary Sanchez, and he looks great. A pennywise budget is the only reason they didn't get Sano the same summer, even though they have found some intriguing kids with the pennies they've been working with. So, they should make a bigger commitment going forward.

Billy Eppler, who heads pro scouting has also done a terrific job, and he may deserve as much credit as Cash does for the Chavez, Jones, Garcia and Colon spree of last winter. Really savvy moves that helped get the Yanks to the playoffs. Chavez may be retiring, so, hopefully they have another trick up their sleeve for the 3rd base. They'll also have to re-solve the rotation as they seem to have to do every year.

In all, Cash has the front office in very good shape, and the Yanks would be wise to not only lock up Cash, longterm, but also make sure Oppenheimer and Epler won't be easily poached. Anything can happen in a five game series, but nothing that should effect the Yankee FO. Re-sign Cash, give him bigger amateur budgets. Go Yanks!