Brian Cashman came out firing at his critics on Tuesday, and especially sounded off on the idea that the Yankees are an “analytically driven” organization.
“People talk that we’re analytically driven,” Cashman said. “We have the smallest analytic department in the American League East. Is that a shocker to you guys? We have the largest pro scouting department in all of baseball. Is that a shocker to anybody? It shouldn’t be.
“No one is doing their deep dives, they're just throwing bulls--t and accusing us of being run analytically. Analytics is important. It’s an important spoke in our wheel…there’s not one team that isn’t using it. we’re no different. Nut To be said we're guided by analytics as a driver is a lie. I know I can’t change that narrative. I know the only thing I can say is ‘bulls--t, it’s not true.’”
The Yankees have long been criticized by fans and analysts for being too reliant on analytics, and consistently searching for “analytical darlings” or diamonds in the rough rather than going after established stars in free agency. Cashman strongly pushed back on that notion at the GM Meetings on Tuesday, while also taking a strong stance in praising the organization’s operation and the people running it.
“I’m getting permission requests all over the place. We just lost our bench coach to the Mets as a manager. I’ve got analytics guys trying to be poached by other clubs right now,” Cashman said. “We’ve got good people. I’m proud of our people, and I’m proud of our process.”
Heading into the offseason, there was speculation that the Yankees could be on their way to major changes after the team posted its worst record in over 30 years, in a showing that Cashman himself called a “disaster.” But after reports of a team-wide “audit” have seemingly turned into a “collaboration” with an outside analytics company, and changes seemingly being nothing more than at hitting coach, the brains of the operation will likely remain intact in 2024, and Cashman is standing by those who will still be running the ship.
“I think we're pretty f---ing good, personally, and I'm proud of our people,” Cashman said. “I’m also looking forward to ’24 being a better year than ’23.”
