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New York Yankees: Top Priorities According to Brian Cashman

By Manny Gómez

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees, looks on before the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees, looks on before the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Last Thursday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman did a 25-minute interview on Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay’s radio show. Here are the Yankees top priorities according to Cash.

First, when asked what his top priority was this offseason, Brian Cashman quickly responded: pitching. According to the New York Yankees GM, the Yanks are looking to add two top flight starting pitchers either by trade or via free agency.

Cashman didn’t stop there.

Considering that both Zach Britton and David Robertson are both free agents, Cashman stated that he is also looking for more bullpen arms. However, he did not rule out bringing back the two former closers.

Cashman also pulled no punches when he stated that Sonny Gray will not be returning to New York despite being under club control until 2020. “It just isn’t working in New York,” Cash told Michael Kay. Cash continued, “He will return to the type of pitcher he was in Oakland, unfortunately it won’t be in New York.”

Secondly, while Cashman didn’t outright say he was targeting Manny Machado, he did provide a few snippets that make it seem as though the Yankees are 100% in on the superstar free agent.

When asked if Machado’s hustling comments to Ken Rosenthal during the postseason raised concerns, Cashman immediately invoked Robinson Cano and Alfsonso Soriano. While Cash did not condone Machado’s comments, he did seem to brush it off rather quickly.

With Didi Gregorius out for at least half of the season, the Yankees will need to fill in the shortstop position. Gleyber Torres seems to have made a home for himself over at second, so who better than Machado to hold down the position until Didi comes back.

Andujar, who Cashman calls a “mature athletic kid who was a year ahead of schedule,” could be used as the centerpiece in a trade for a top tier starting pitcher. The Yankees have been rumored to be in on Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, and Andujar plus prospects should be enough to get a deal through.

Next. Free agents Yankees should avoid. dark

Finally, when asked if the New York Yankees are looking to veer from the formula that made them successful in 2018, Cashman said no. “The team that hits the most home runs in the postseason wins,” Cash proclaimed.

He’s right.

Since 2000, the World Series winner ranked 1 or 2 in the postseason in home runs 15 times.

So, look for the Yankees to continue hitting dingers next season, while revamping a mediocre starting rotation. 2019 couldn’t come any sooner.

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