Cashman Taking Responsibility?

Recently, in a brief, candid moment, Yankees team architect Brian Cashman took responsibility for the organization's demise: "I've put together a club that is where it's at and I'm responsible..I wish I had an answer for it." An answer for what?

"But this year, New York's fortunes have crumbled like a Wall Street bank, leaving Yankee Stadium set to close on Sunday with no October games in its final season.
"Our everyday position players did not perform up to their typical ability," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Not everyone. But I would say mostly as a unit we've struggled there from injuries and underperformance." Um, is that all?

"the Yankees had neither the homegrown talent or the front office smarts to find good complementary players to withstand injuries the way Boston and Tampa Bay did. Xavier Nady was a good addition, but otherwise the Yankees' support players were dreadful. They gave 18 percent of their total at-bats to non-players Jose Molina, Wilson Betemit, Ivan Rodriguez, Brett Gardner, Chad Moeller, Morgan Ensberg, Shelly Duncan, Alberto Gonzalez, Justin Christian, Richie Sexson, Cody Ransom and Chris Stewart. Those players hit .221. The Yankees had a National League offense, if that. The 7-8-9 spots in the Yankee lineup, excluding pitchers, posted a .295 OBP. The Cubs, with pitchers taking most of the plate appearances, had better production from the nine hole (10 homers, 60 RBI) than did the Yankees (8, 38)."

Don't forget the infamous pitching plan that relied on neophytes to carry a load in Gotham's glare, to a place they've never been. Where did that leave them ? "The organization has begun a series of meetings to make a determination on whether it would be beneficial or risky to have Chamberlain throw additional innings. Should the Yanks decide to go ahead and have Chamberlain pitch more in 2008, they are weighing Arizona Fall League vs. Instructional League and starting vs. relief.If Chamberlain does go to winter ball, he'd be joining Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy." The sky has fallen.

Hope for the future? "The question isn’t, What went wrong with the Yankees this year? It’s, What’s gonna go wrong next year?" The sky is the limit. Cash is king.