The New York Yankees, who took the league by storm with a scorching record prior to the All-Star break, have tumbled down to Earth, posting a 6-14 record during the month of August that had fans frustrated.
Even though manager Aaron Boone has continued to fail to take a mega-talented roster to it’s true potential, often fumbling lineup decisions with inconsistency and questionable bullpen decisions, general manager Brian Cashman says he believes in Boone and the Yankees this season.
While it’s nice that Cashman believe in the team and Boone, some would have to shine a light on Cashman who traded Jordan Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals for an injured Harrison Bader, and Montgomery has been stellar since. Add in the fact that the Yankees big trade-deadline acquisition of Frankie Montas, has been a dud in pinstripes thus far, and Cashman may need to build some confidence in his performance.
“The group has my belief,” Cashman said prior to last night’s game, according to ESPN’s Joon Lee. “I believe strongly in them and I think they are still capable of everything we’ve ever hoped and dreamed, but we have to weather the storm first and foremost.”
Fans have pointed their ire at Cashman and Boone.
Montas has posted a 9.00 ERA since joining the team, while Montgomery has posted a 0.54 ERA in three starts since his surprising move to the Cardinals.
Despite Boone stumbling for yet another season, Cashman believes in him.
“I think he’s done a great job,” Cashman said,. “I think he’s managed his players extremely well. … He’s even-keel. It’s important for our players to see that, because if he can keep his temperament the same, for the most part, they don’t see panic. It doesn’t mean he can’t lose his cool, which he will from time to time when necessary.”
Cashman has said that coming off a shoulder injury and a recent death in the family has affected Montas on the field.
“You wouldn’t change the attempt to acquire him, but we were unaware of him being out of pocket,” Cashman said. “So you add in being out for 10 to 12 days before his next start on top of him building back from being down for a period of time, and now transition to another club, he just hasn’t gotten out of the gates as well.”
“I believe in this group,” Cashman said. “I know Aaron Boone believes in this group. I know our ownership believes in this group. It’s a good crew that’s dedicated, that’s hungry and that’s really talented, that’s just happened to play poorly for a little longer than maybe we would have expected based on how we got out of the gates the first three months. But I’m not going to just forget that.”
