Fan Confidence Poll: February 6th, 2012

February 6, 2012 by Mike Axisa 37 Comments

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

The Yankees hired former Cubs GM Jim Hendry as a special assignment scout and announced a series of promotions, most notably pro scouting director Billy Eppler to assistant GM.
Joba Chamberlain is throwing off a half-mound as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Phil Hughes reportedly looks great during offseason workouts.
The Yankees are “in serious talks” with utility man Bill Hall. The Mariners reportedly asked about Mason Williams during the Michael Pineda talks. Joe Girardi would like another bat.
Kevin Whelan was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton, and the Yankees signed Manny Delcarmen.
Mark Teixeira might bunt more to beat the shift.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Bklyn

Giants are Super Bowl Champs. Nuff said
steve s

Mike, can you address why the Cashman story has not been referenced at all in any threads (other than in a few off-hand comments in non-related threads) or listed as a “top story” from last week. I can appreciate it if, due to an RAB editorial decision, it is viewed as a story that is inconsistent with what RAB’s does. From the few comments I’ve seen, though, made by RAB writers the position seems to be that it’s not something that affects Cashman’s performance or potentially his job status or that anyone who read this site wouldn’t not be interested in discussing but I don’t agree with any of those conclusions. I don’t know how anyone can simply compartmentalize their private and work lives so that a spectacularly stressful personal issue does not affect their job performance or how the owners of a billion $ company with a brand to protect and promote wouldn’t take notice and be somewhat concerned that a key man in their employ has engaged in some very public and embarassing behavior. I’m not trying to be an asshole about this but RAB is where I always look first concerning Yankee stories and not seeing the Cashman story covered is perplexing to me. Just to stay on topic I vote a 6 because of the Cashman issue and the possibility this will not end well for him or the Yanks. Thanks.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  We don’t post about personal lives unless it’s something like an arrest, etc. No one really cares. He’s getting divorced and had some crazy lady extort money, that’s all.
  - http://www.twitter.com/JoeRo23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    Not good enough, I want to read your expert opinion on this matter.
    
    (Kidding… steve s’s comment is perfectly reasonable. On the other hand… What do you expect these guys to say about this issue? It’s totally personal and not baseball-related in the least, I’m not sure what anyone could expect these guys to post about it. For better or worse, it’s out there, everyone knows about it. Is there really anything else to add?)
    - Plank
      
      According to the woman, Cashman said that he thought Posada was acting like a baby or something like that. That’s somewhat relevant to the team.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        That’s really stretching it.
        
        Plank
        
        If a “respectable” publication quoted Cashman as saying that and sourcing it as “someone close to Cashman”, it probably would have been covered here. Even if it was the exact same source.
      - http://www.twitter.com/JoeRo23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Sure, no doubt. On the other hand, all we’ve got so far are the rantings of what appear to be a pretty unstable person.
        
        All I’m saying is, I don’t think the RAB guys are intentionally burying a valid, important, well-sourced and relevant story or anything. I think there’s a bunch of weird stuff out there, and I’m not sure what an outlet like this could or should have to say about that, at this point. It’s also not like they’re silencing discussion of the issue – we’re discussing it right now. They’re just choosing not to force some random article or opinion on a matter on which they really can’t have much to add, at this point. I’m not sure expecting them to have acted any other way is all that reasonable.
        
        jsbrendog
        
        that is what the open thread is for also. if you want to discuss it go ahead, you don’t need a post. there is one a day and the constant one pinned up top. I don’t see the issue. I’m with you.
    - steve s
      
      Well, for example, do you find the hiring of Hendry and the timing of the Cashman story hitting the newspapers purely coincidental or, in light of what happened last week, was Hendry brought on if for some reason Cashman’s woes do not disappear so easily. It’s purely speculation but there was a good thread last week about GM “succession” which seems to make some of this baseball related. Again I can understand RAB invoking a particular editorial policy but when Mike affirms that “no one really cares” I wonder how many of the regular RAB readers agree with that statement.
      - Plank
        
        I know it wasn’t your central point, but I think Hendry’s signing had nothing to do with this stuff.
  - CJ
    
    I generally agree about personal matters should remain private but the NY tabloids do not. This particular case with Cashman is ugly beyond a typical personal matter. A divorce with children is a difficult matter. This has blown up to the point where it’s in the back page if post and news. The woman is in Rykers Island! How many text messages did she send? I read 600 at one point. Seriously, this situation may affect his ability to perform his job. I would not think less of a man who takes a leave if absence for a month to deal with an “ordinary” divorce. This situation has to be consuming the man’s time and thoughts.
    - Now Batting
      
      I recall reading that Cashman and his wife have been separated for nearly a year, so I’d suspect the divorce isn’t much of a shock to him.
      
      As for the extortion case, it appears Cashman notified authorities and helped in the capture and arrest of the woman. Doesn’t seem as though he did any wrongdoing
  - CJ
    
    He’s getting divorced with children, difficult, stressful but unfortunately common and most get through it. His girlfriend is crazy had a history harassed and extorted him and is now in Rykers. A Yankee GMs divorce does not make the papers for irreconcilable differences. This is tabloid circus stuff.
- CJ
  
  Steve, I agree. Well said and honest. The GM of the NY Yankees is a stressful enough job. The stress involved with this situation would affect my ability to perform my job so why not Brian Cashman? I assume thus woman was texting him on the same cell that GMs and agents use, that would make it tricky to get a deal done.
  - Plank
    
    He just got out of a marriage. He’s probably banging tons of chicks and is still in the flying high phase. I bet this stuff doesn’t bother him all that much.
    
    I think you’re making more out of it than it is.
    
    (Yes, this conversation is ridiculous.)
    - CJ
      
      I don’t believe there should be a discussion about why he did it or how we feel about what he did. We read it all in the post. This is at least stressful, distracting and time consuming. It may or may have already affected his job performance. I think the Hendry signing helps, it seems like the position is Cashman’s pro caddy, he needs one now more than ever.
      - Plank
        
        How is a special assignment scout a pro caddy?
        
        CJ
        
        Dont know if youre a PGA fan, I’m using the term caddy the way they are used on tour, a pro caddy knows your game, knows the course and offers advice and support. Hit a 9 or a knock down 7? Not using the term caddy as one who carries the bag. Its just an analogy could have used consigliere to make the same point.
        
        Plank
        
        I know what you meant. I thought he was just brought in to give input on his assessment of minor league or amateur players. Maybe I’m wrong though.
        
        Plank
        
        Baseball men are rarely out of the game entirely. I just see this as a huge step down for him. Just because he was a GM I don’t think he’ll have a ton of input.
        
        CJ
        
        The final call belongs to Cashman. But it’s great to have a veteran “partner” to bounce ideas off before making a decision. I believe that’s true in any situation moreso if you are dealing with a personal distraction.
- Ted Nelson
  
  I’m not sure there’s any room for a strong analysis of this issue… They could throw it out there and say it happened, but from there it’s nothing but baseless speculation on how this may or may not impact him.
  
  And people need to leave their baggage at home. Letting your personal life impact your performance is unprofessional and unacceptable. If you can’t deal with both, step down. This isn’t a death in the family or something out of his control. If you don’t want random women you slept with coming forward, don’t sleep with random women. Simple enough. If he didn’t sleep with her, he should clear his name and let it die out.
Plank

7 again…happy with almost everything…plan to slash payroll…statistically improbable for infielders in late 30s to reverse declines…farm system looks less awesome without Montero…
Dropped Third

I really like the moves by the cash-man this offseason. He is setting up the team in a position to decease payroll yet keep a great product on the field.
Although my confidence of the yankee franchise should not be affected by moves (or non-moves) made by other teams, with e-jacks signing elsewhere and Oswalt looking less likely to sign to sign with boston, beantown enters the season right now with a considerable amount of question marks. I have learned in my time as a yankee fan to never take the redsox for granted but it is nice to be able to see the yanks as the clear favorites in the AL East.
LarryM.,Fl.

I remain at 9. Cashman’s personal life has not shown any interference in his work performance based on the moves made during the off season. I’m sure when alone in his office his thoughts may drift to the personal events of the past year or so. It can’t be easy to keep it together when not busy as hell.
PinedaColada

I’m at a 9. Can’t wait to see the new rotation in action. Really excited about Pineda. We are bringing back a top 5 Offense with better pitching and one can argue an improved bullpen as well due to either Hughes or Burnett ending up there and the eventual return of Joba. Easily a 95 win team in my eyes could be more an we are just about guaranteed a playoff berth. In terms of the farm yea no Jesus but Campos adds more pitching depth with some high upside and we didn’t lose anyone else so it’s still top 10 in all of baseball I think. Not worried about Cashmans personal sexlife everyone cheats once in a while stop being hypocrits
Bon Scott

The only reason I see this Cashman issue as important is if somehow it hindered his ability to run the team in an efficient manner, and we have no evidence of that. Obviously the girl’s got rhythm, because based on looks I’d say Cashman is a fool.
- Plank
  
  It probably doesn’t reflect well on him that he wrote a letter of recommendation for a woman who had been charged with stalking on company letterhead. He also gave her seats in the family section.
  
  I still don’t care though. Cashman just wanted some strange.
- CJ
  
  There is ni evidence but it’s not a stretch to speculate that when this woman was sending him hundreds of text messages, they surrounded and interrupted communication with GMs and agents and scouts.
crawdaddy

Yet, it’s up to the Steinbrenners and Randy Levine to determine if it has affected his job performance not Yankee fans, who have little clue about such things.
Tim

Do you think though that this scandal has had an effect on pending personnel decisions by the Yankees and why they are waiting so long to address the final needs of the team? Do you think that they are delaying making decisions like signing a DH and 2nd infield reserve and releasing their ST invitees. I’ve never, ever seen it take this long for the Yankees to release the names of the invitees to Spring Training, ever. Normally it’s done in January. And you have to think that this whole fiasco with Cashman is delaying that. Makes you wonder.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Spring Training invites were announced on Feb. 11th last year and Feb. 8th the year before:
  
  http://riveraveblues.com/2011/02/yankees-announce-non-roster-invitees-42957/
  
  http://riveraveblues.com/2010/02/montero-headlines-non-roster-invites-23574/
crawdaddy

If I had to guess, Cashman knows which guy he wants as his main DH, but the price isn’t there yet.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  If I had to guess, Cashman knows which guys he wants in the DH role, they’re on the team already, and a small segment of the RAB readership is going to continue to insist otherwise.
Robinson Tilapia

8. Same as always. Let’s play some ball.

I’m glad this site doesn’t bother with personal tabloid drivel. Kudos to Mike for making the right decision.
Cliff

Cash could have saved himself a world of hurt with one of those cheapie $19.95 online background checks.

According to the Daily News: “Neathway’s history of stalking includes an ex-boyfriend who accused her of harassment in 2010. She also has two open upstate warrants for harassment, and is on probation for stalking in New Jersey.” Her ex-husband,their daughter, the ex-husband’s mother, his current wife, several ex-boyfriends, and the stalker’s own shrink all have restraining orders and/or criminal complaints against her.

IF he was involved with her-and it’s possible she fabricated a romantic relationship out of some casual acquaintance- apparently she is an utterly psychotic bunny-boiler, after all- Cash showed some massively poor judgment here. I think it would be fair if some people in Tampa want to call him on the carpet and ask him where the hell his head is at. That’s all I want to say on this squalid matter.