Yankees’ Brian Cashman explains ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ lists in negotiations | ‘I don’t have some Jedi mind trick’
Updated Dec 22, 2020;
Posted Dec 22, 2020
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman breaks down his negotiation strategy, which he says isn t really a strategy at all. AP
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Rarely is a light shone on how, exactly, he does it.
Cashman said he doesn’t really even have a negotiation strategy.
“I wouldn’t even call it a strategy,” he said. “I’m just pretty direct.”
Introducing Yankees Insider:
The goal is simple, he said.
“I want a great outcome for the Yankees and I want a great outcome for the player,” Cashman said. “We’re not trying to trick a player into coming here or staying here. I don’t have some Jedi mind trick that, all of a sudden, I can convince someone against their will.”
Yankees adding lefty bat would be ‘optimal’ for Brian Cashman this winter
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
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Brian Cashman is looking for his left-hand man.
“I I can find a way to balance out and incorporate some left-handed, quality bats to balance this out, I think that’s optimal,” the Yankees general manager said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM’s The Front Office with hosts Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden on Sunday.
Introducing Yankees Insider:
It’s not a given that it will happen, however.
“But it’s easier said than done because, ultimately, what you don’t want to do is remove the high-end bat whether it’s an elite hitter or an above-average right-handed hitter from your lineup and drop down a category or two just because you’re trying to insert the left-handed bat and now all of a sudden you’re not as good because of it,” Cashman said.
MLB Trade Rumors
11:11am CDT
It’s been a slow-moving market for all of the game’s top free agents, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan shines some light on where things stand with
George Springer, reporting that the Blue Jays and Mets are generally viewed as the two strongest possibilities for the longtime Astros slugger.
Newly hired Mets general manager Jared Porter plainly acknowledged in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM last week that Springer is “going to be part of the process” as they evaluate options on the high end of both the free-agent and trade markets (Twitter link, with audio). As one would expect, Porter didn’t tip his hand as to anything more specific, but MLB.com’s Jon Morosi did write recently that the Mets are “focused” on Springer at the moment.
Royals Could Add Another Left-Handed Bat
5:35pm CDT
The Royals have been one of MLB’s most active clubs early in the offseason, adding four free agents
Maikel Franco via non-tender. General manager Dayton Moore isn’t calling it an offseason yet, however, as he detailed in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM this morning (Twitter link, with audio).
Franco’s non-tender appeared to set the stage for
Hunter Dozier to slot in at third base, and Moore made clear that the organization’s preference is indeed for Dozier to solidify the position. However, the GM noted that due to Dozier’s versatility, he’s still open to adding a third baseman and deploying Dozier elsewhere (likely in the outfield). As such, Kansas City’s search for another bat in the lineup won’t necessarily be restricted by position. Moore did acknowledge that his ideal addition would bat from the left side of the plate.
Boston Red Sox starters Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez ‘upbeat’ about progress after missing 2020
Updated Dec 15, 2020;
Posted Dec 15, 2020
Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale, left, talks with pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, center, during a baseball workout at Fenway Park, Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Boston. Sale is scheduled to start against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the baseball American League Championship Series, Saturday in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)AP
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided encouraging updates on two of the team’s starters Tuesday afternoon, telling “MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM” that lefties Eduardo Rodriguez and Chris Sale are progressing well as they look to return healthy in 2021.