SNY’s Andy Martino is responding to and breaking down answers to Yankees questions from readers. Here’s the latest…
You think the Yanks are getting Jazz Chisholm Jr. reps at 3B because they think the 2B market at the deadline might have more options than 3B does? – @MaxMannis
Yes. That is exactly the reason. And an under-discussed aspect of this story is how admirably team-first Chisholm is acting in this situation. It stretches back to last summer, when he learned the nuances of a difficult position during a pennant race and postseason. Even into October, Chisholm was still working to master the cuts, relays and other aspects of a job that he had never before done.
Asked again this year by the manager — who knows firsthand how difficult it is to play third base at a high level — to leave a more comfortable spot at second base, Chisholm is doing it. As a result, the Yankees have the option to trade for a middle infielder.
It’s hard to imagine how on earth this guy left Miami with anything other than a sterling reputation.
Will the Yankees’ concerns about the luxury tax cause them to move salary in order to take back significant salary at the trade deadline? – @FrankLo9
It’s true that the Yankees’ post-Juan Soto spree left them at the limits of their willingness to spend. In fact, it was no sure thing that they would stretch for Paul Goldschmidt until folks in baseball operations made a strong case for doing so.
But that was the offseason budget. Teams almost always leave payroll in reserve for the trade deadline, and the Yankees are always aggressive when they feel they have the chance to win. I would not expect that to change in a year in which a championship is a reachable goal.
I know you have reported on this before, but any updates on Cashman’s future with the Yankees? Contract is up after next season – @Rick12_85
That’s true, I reported in my book last year that many of Cashman’s colleagues expect this contract to be his last as GM. I asked Cashman directly about it before writing that, and he would not confirm or deny.
Admittedly, I have not followed up with him recently. But I can tell you that the general expectation among many of those around him remains the same. It does not mean that anything is settled, but Cashman believes that he has plenty of “pretty f—ing good” people in the office group who could serve as heirs.
As previously reported, VP of player development Kevin Reese is seen internally as a leading candidate. Cashman also holds a high opinion of assistant GM Michael Fishman and director of baseball operations Matt Ferry. He’ll almost certainly have a strong voice in naming a successor, whenever that day comes.
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