Yanks System Stuff

Today the Yanks held a little press even welcoming Hideki Matsui back home as a special assistant to Brian Cashman and VP of Player Development Gary Denbo.   Denbo's title is interesting, because it was no Mark Newman's title.  Prior to becoming VP of Baseball Operations,  Mark Newman had been director of player development -- and players were developing.  The problem for Newman was that when he got promoted, he got pulled in too many directions, and some of the people below him and around the organization had left and been inadequately replaced and Player Development went to hell.

For example, several years ago there were guys taking kickbacks from signed players down in the DR.   So  Newman had to go over to the DR, troubleshoot that situation and start scouting the International talent with the clean scouts that were left.

Gary Denbo's new title seemes to exclude him for anything but Player D, and he is a great teacher with good ideas.   The fact that Player Development is now a VP post shows a renewed commitment and one that is much needed.   Scouting and Player Development and not shiny names should be the lifeblood of the organization -- and btw, Denbo's new title gives us another clue about the yet to be revealed quadrant structure.