Brian Cashman, who is the New York Yankees' Senior Vice President and General Manager, should examine his own actions before criticizing the management of New York's most beloved team, the New York Mets.
Cashman signed Pedro Feliciano, a journeyman left-handed relief pitcher, to an $8 million, two-year contract in January with an option for 2013. Now, more than two months later, Feliciano has a sore arm which has put him on the disabled list.
The Yankees' general manager knew that Feliciano set a record that would have been admired years ago, but is now considered dubious. The left-hander appeared in an amazing 344 games since 2007. He made 92 appearances in 2010.
In a statement that reveals who he really is, Cashman recently accused the Mets of "abusing" Feliciano. Cashman has a short memory.
In Dec. 2003, the son of a Kentucky horse trainer who was friends with George Steinbrenner, signed the 35-year-old Paul Quantrill to a $3 million contract.
Did Cashman look up the record to learn that in his three previous seasons, Quantrill made 80, 86 and 89 appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays (2001) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2002 and 2003)?
During the wonderful season of 2004 (wonderful for the Boston Red Sox), Yankees' manager Joe Torre allowed Paul Quantrill to appear in 86 games. Quantrill and the season wore down, and the right-hander finished 7-3 with a 96 ERA+. He allowed an obscene 124 hits in 95 and one-third innings.
Joe Torre called the shots, but it was up to Cashman to speak to Torre if he thought that the manager was overworking Quantrill.
Feliciano is now the second pitcher Cashman signed who was, according to the general manager's definition, "abused." Doesn't Brian learn?
It is classless to accuse the Mets for Feliciano's problem with his rotator cuff. The Mets, a class organization from top to bottom that has been excoriated for alleged financial dealings that have yet to be confirmed, responded to Cashman the way a teacher might respond to a pupil who has much to learn.
Mets' pitching coach Dan Warthen succinctly stated, "I feel badly that [Cashman] feels that way. That was part of the reason we decided to not re-sign [Feliciano]—because we knew we had used him 270-some times in the last three years."
How amazing that the Mets knew what Cashman either chose to ignore or simply didn't realize.
Quantrill was finished following the 2004 season. On July 2, 2005, Cashman sent him to San Diego, who released him at the end of August. The Florida Marlins signed him for the remainder of the season, but cut him loose when the season ended.
Brian Cashman has the easiest job in the world. He has more money to spend than any other general manager. It doesn't take a Branch Rickey to acquire Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, and the much maligned A.J. Burnett for approximately $423 million.
It's fortunate that Brian Cashman's job doesn't' depend on the trades he makes.
Reference:
New York Mets Response
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