Brian Cashman 'ready to rock and roll' with trades
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media before a game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Yankee Stadium. Credit: AP / Bill Kostroun
Brian Cashman is not content to let the mediocre American League East race come to him. The Yankees general manager wants to make deals. "I'm ready to rock and roll," he said at Yankee Stadium before Monday night's game against the Rays. "But those who have are taking their time.
"I've been vocal. There are some things I need to do and I'll keep working on trying to get them done. In the meantime, we'll hopefully try to get guys healthy and get some guys producing at the same time."
It is no secret that he is trying to acquire starting pitching, or that starters are always the hardest commodities to obtain.
"I just think it's always difficult to acquire anything that's impactful and significant," he said. "Those are tough conversations to have and they usually hurt a great deal to do so. That's my experience. It seems like it gets harder rather than easier, but you've got to go through it. Figure it out and find if you can run into something that can impact you."
He declined to say which young Yankees and/or prospects are being sought (such as Dellin Betances), but said, "We have personnel that are very attractive to other clubs, personnel that I typically wouldn't want to part with."
Still, given the amount invested in the current team, it is reasonable to ask if there is enough talent here now to contend.
"I'm not wired to think that way," he said. "I'm wired to think we've got to find ways to improve."
No setbacks for CC
CC Sabathia threw a bullpen session before the game and will make a rehab start in Trenton on Thursday. Cashman said he saw Sabathia's previous rehab outing and that the pitcher's right knee did not restrict him when he covered first base.
