Personal attacks hurt, especially when it’s coming from within.
Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton has received it from fans and the media, but now it comes from his own general manager Brian Cashman. Recently, Cashman had an interview with the New York Daily News where he stated that Stanton would “more likely than not,” get injured next season.
Brian Cashman Does Giancarlo Stanton Dirty
“He’s going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game,” Cashman said.
Being in a tough, New York market, Stanton has gotten criticism regarding his availability a ton. After all, he has battled through multiple injuries and has had four of his six seasons with the Yankees cut short by a wide margin — playing in less than 130 games.
To add to this, his play has seemingly slipped as he batted a career-low of .191 in the 2023 season.
With it coming from his own general manager though, it may have hurt Stanton more than anyone in the Yankee fan base could’ve ever done. Not only did Cashman address his injury issues, but Cashman did all but guarantee another injury for the former NL MVP.
While Stanton has yet to make a statement, his agent, Joel Wolfe did.
“I think it’s a good reminder for all free agents considering signing in New York both foreign and domestic that to play for a team you’ve got to be made of Teflon,” Wolfe told Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, “both mentally and physically because you can never let your guard down even in the offseason.”
Did Brian Cashman Cross The Line?
When a general manager speaks, it’s typically for a reason. Some have speculated that it may be a means of him getting Stanton to waive his clause in a potential trade, but certain lines shouldn’t be crossed within a ballclub.
In his interview, Cashman did call Stanton a great hitter when healthy, but injuries being “part of” Stanton’s game is a disparaging take and makes his aforementioned compliment backhanded.
The slugger has long been in trade rumors though, and this could be the last straw in a marriage that didn’t work out as expected in New York. Stanton is getting paid $32 million next season, and he only reached the All-Star Game once in his Yankee career.
Former Yankee Cameron Maybin also offered perspective on Cashman’s words, putting doubt in Stanton’s willingness to return to New York.
Cameron Maybin Suggests Giancarlo Stanton On Way Out Of NY
“I’m not putting words in his mouth but not so sure he wants to finish his career in the pinstripes,” Maybin said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m sure he’d like to finish somewhere that (actually) appreciates how’s he’s handle every sec of being in NYC.”
The problem for Cashman is his comments did nothing but lower Stanton’s trade value, whether true or not. It’s hard to imagine a team will be willing to give up anything of great value for someone whose general manager calls “injury-prone” — especially because he is under contract for the next four years.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Agents Also Represents Coveted Japanese Player Yoshinobu Yamamoto
To add to this, Stanton’s agent also represents highly touted Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto who entered the MLB market this fall and has received interest from Cashman and the Yankees.
This may not have been Cashman’s best chess move, but it could make an impact in one way, or another once New York puts its pinstripes on in the spring.
The Yankees officially introduced Aaron Judge as the captain of a new era in the Bronx on Wednesday in a press conference aired live on MLB Network. Judge leads the Yankees into the next nine years with hopes of leading them back to the top of baseball’s food chain several times over the next decade.
“I’ve had the fortunate pleasure to be a part of this franchise for a long time,” said Yankees Senior VP & GM Brian Cashman who has served in a general manager capacity since 1998 and just inked his own deal that will keep him in his leadership role until 2026.
Part of that history has been a lot of great players have come through here and been a part of this storied franchise…if you’re talking about a homegrown player, it is a rare occurrence to be in a position to sign, draft, develop and ultimately retain a player throughout his entire career and today we are excited to re-introduce Aaron Judge as part of that legacy.”
Judge was flanked by his wife and Hal Steinbrenner, (Yankees Managing General Partner) one on side and on the other side of the podium was the rest of the Yankees brass including manager Aaron Boone, who was more relieved than anything else that his history-making MLBbro was back in the fold long term.
Thats one spot in the lineup he doesn’t have to worry about – barring injury – for a long time.
“People have asked me over and over what was it like the day before we were able to reach an agreement (with Judge),” Boone said at the presser.
“And I’ll put it in laymen’s terms for ya…That feeling if you lost your cellphone, your keys, your wallet and your ipad, gone…and the next morning someone knocks on the door and says, “Were you looking for this?”
That comment got a chuckle out of Judge, but the $400M offer from the Giants was no laughing matter. “But in all seriousness,” Boone continued, “we got our guy.”
Hal Steinbrenner said he never considered Judge a free agent – until it was obvious that he was highly-coveted, and the market was going to be kind to the 62-homer hitter.
Hal Steinbrenner to Aaron Judge before he signed: "As far as I'm concerned you are not a free agent. As far as I'm concerned you are a Yankee." pic.twitter.com/jCZ8Zr0dEj
“I was wrong,” Hal said. “Aaron was a free agent and there were numerous clubs that wanted him in a big way to be a part of their organization.”
After Hal presented Judge with his new No. 99 Yankees jersey as a $360M man, the Paul Bunyan of Baseball stepped to the podium and thanked the Yankees organization for believing in his talents back in 2013 when they signed him for a $1.8M bonus.
“A little kid out of Fresno State coming to the Big Apple. It was a blessing and an honor,” Judge, the MLBbro 2022 Player of the Year said on Wednesday.
He reflected on the history and an opportunity to carve his own niche in the most storied franchise in American sports.
“Getting a chance to be a captain of the Yankees now, what an honor that is,” Judge added. “I look back at the list of (Yankees captains)…Thurman Munson, Lou Gehrig, Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly. Not only great baseball players, but great ambassadors of the game and the New York Yankees.”
“Im here to embrace every single obstacle and continue to lead this team and lead this city to not one, but multiple championships.”
We heard another superstar in the NBA once say something similar and he delivered. LeBron James was a bit more extravagant and boastful with his championship hopes once he shocked the world and joined the Miami Heat, but he did win multiple championships. If Judge can do the same, Yankees fans won’t be mad at all. It’s been since 2009 since the Bronx tasted championship glory.
Aaron Judge talks about how excited he is about the moves the Yankees have made already and adds "there might be a couple more moves down the road" pic.twitter.com/GxttylrqJA
Despite being no-hit by a Houston Astros’ three-pitcher combination in a 3-0 loss on Saturday, the Yankees are still the hottest team in the Majors and MLBbro Aaron Judge is the brightest light in their lineup.
As the summer rolls on and the days get hotter, so do the New York Yankees, and slugger Aaron Judge. The Yankees remain the top team in baseball as we approach the
halfway point of the season. There are several factors that we can point to for the
Yankees’’ success such as elite starting pitching and a high-octane offense. The Yankees
are amongst the Major League leaders in runs scored and runs allowed proving their two way
dominance. But the most crucial ingredient to their success, is the same one that was key to them
coming in, and that is the dominance of their franchise player, Aaron Judge.
There was much talk about the status of Judge coming into the season, and many
wondered if this would be a distraction. The New York media is notoriously ruthless and known
for making big stars crumble under pressure. Not only has Judge answered the call, but he has
exceeded expectations. Brian Cashman and the Yankees more than likely find themselves having
to empty their pocketbooks to re-sign Judge with the type of success he is having. He has put not
only the Yankees and their fans on notice, but the entire league that he is one of the nest and
intends to be paid as such.
Judge is almost a foregone conclusion as a starter in this year’s All-Star Game. Last week
Judge reportedly opted out of the annual Home Run Derby. “Nope, I already did that” Judge told
the New York Post. Although fans will be disappointed one of the most dangerous and powerful
hitters in the game won’t be participating, this shows his commitment to bigger and loftier goals.
At this current pace, Judge will earn possibly an MVP award, Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron
Award, All-Star recognition, and also has a realistic chance at huge playoff success with the way
his team has steamrolled through competition. He is laser focused and driven by his
determination to prove his pre-season doubters wrong.
Judge is having the best year of his already amazing career. Judge is hitting over .300 and
leads the league in home runs by a considerable margin. Not only is he contributing at the plate
but he is playing quality defense. This is noteworthy as he has spent much time in centerfield
this year. The dominance of Judge is igniting the team to new heights and they look ready to be a
formidable contender for a deep playoff run that Bronx fans hope will result in extending their
league leading World Series championship amount to 28. This would not only cap off a great
year for the Yankees, but cement MLBbro Aaron Judge in history as another Yankee great.
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