Brad Cashman is the Yankees GM, and he’s fallen way behind the MLB curve. Hank Steinbrenner is a semi-portly fellow with a lot of money who loves to talk and talk and talk to the press. (”Just… like… his… papa.”) Johan Santana is the best pitcher in baseball right now.
From the Twin Cities’ Star-Trib:
Hank Steinbrenner, son of New York Yankees owner George, made it clear Wednesday that the club still has some interest in making a deal for Twins lefthander Johan Santana, but there is not a unanimous opinion among club officials whether they should pay the Twins’ asking price.
“At this point I think that it kind of looks like we probably won’t do it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to,” Hank said. “I’m kind of back and forth on it, and some people don’t want to do it because of the money.”
Hank said the Yankees would not give Santana a seven-year guaranteed contract calling for $140 million.
Hank took some flak from the press for offering Kennedy and Hughes, two young pitching prospects who might or might not turn out to be good or even okay, plus center fielder Melky Cabrera for Santana. “Giving away the franchise,” folks hissed. “No building for the future!”
The future’s now. You don’t sit back and cross your fingers; no, you grab it while you can.
But now Hank might not be willing even to pay Santana.
For his part, Cashman says of the Santana deal:
It really comes down to if I want to do it, I can do it, but I want to try and keep everybody happy.
That’s not your job, Cash. Shut up and build a winner; everyone will be happy.
