BT challenged Brian Cashman during his interview on WFAN on Wednesday afternoon, and it began when BT asked if Hal Steinbrenner seems more set on winning it all this year than in seasons past.
“I think the Steinbrenner DNAs are always restless,” BT said. “That’s why he traded for Soto in the winter in a one-year walk year. I remember Roger Clemens, ‘The Yankees don’t rebuild, they reload.’ He said that constantly as an homage to this organization and how the Steinbrenner family runs it, and it’s true. Every year, we’re trying to find a way to add to it, repackage it, improve upon it to push us through.”
BT followed that up by expressing his belief that the Yanks haven’t seemed to be as deadest on winning it all in recent years, noting big acquisitions that weren’t made, or sticking with struggling players like Joey Gallo, Aaron Hicks, and Josh Donaldson long after they had been in extended malaises. Cashman strongly refuted that idea.
“I guess I’d have to get that drug tester over there and pee in a bottle so we can get that sample tested,” Cashman said. “At the end of the day, I would provide all the - look at the roster, the expenditures, the retention of Aaron Judge, the free agent signings - so you got an MVP, a Cy Young Award winner - you got an MVP candidate imported that is big money [Soto], retention of an MVP candidate a couple years back in LeMahieu when he was a free agent.
“I would refute what you’re saying. It doesn’t add up. It doesn’t make any sense. I think when the dust settles, it just comes down to ‘Did we win the World Series, or did we not?’ If we didn’t win the World Series, then obviously all this stuff comes into play where you question their hunger.”
Ultimately, the Yankees haven’t won since 2009, and the fanbase is certainly restless for a title. But Cashman says the owner’s restlessness is also high, and the mission is a championship.
“Is he more restless or more hungry? I would tell you that he’s always restless and always hungry,” Cashman said. “Just like his dad was.”