Tuesday's Bunts and Boots

Over the weekend, Yankee GM Brian Cashman shocked a few observers during a speech at William Paterson University, ripping into retired star Bernie Williams. Cashman took Williams to task for spending too much time working on his music career during his later Yankee days. He also criticized Williams' “terrible” performance in 2005, saying that he didn’t earn the playing time that Joe Torre gave him the following season. Cashman felt that Torre used Williams too much in 2006, when he had better options available in the outfield and at DH. So not only did Cashman criticize Williams, but he took a slight swipe at Torre, as well.
My reaction? I’m stunned at Cashman’s diatribe. He is usually very political, very guarded in any comments he makes to the media. In fact, Cashman has mastered the art of “talking a lot, while saying very little.” Although he’s generally regarded as a good guy by the New York media, Yankee beat writers have become accustomed to Cashman’s long, circular answers, which contain plenty of words but rarely anything of substance. Cashman avoids controversy and conflict like the plague, so his criticism of William comes off as particularly shocking.

Cashman’s remarks are especially eye opening given what he said about Williams after the 2004 season, when he heaped praise on Bernie for his defensive play in center field. Those sentiments ran contrary to the consensus of scouts and media—that Williams had become a subpar defender and a real liability in the outfield.

So why the turnaround in Cashman’s attitude toward Williams? I can only guess that it has something to do with last year’s rift between Williams and the front office. Williams refused to accept anything but a guaranteed major league offer, while Cashman refused to give him anything more than a non-roster invite. The bad blood has apparently continued to fester since then, culminating in Cashman’s weekend attack against Williams…

In the short term, the rumored acquisition of Erik Bedard would make the Mariners a legitimate challenger to the Angels in the American League West, but the rumored haul being sent to Baltimore is so hefty that it might be a long-term disaster. Adam Jones is the centerpiece to the four or five-player package; he’s Seattle’s best prospect, wrapped and ready to play center field for the Orioles now. The Orioles would also acquire reliever George Sherrill, a situational power left-hander who could play an expanded role in Baltimore’s bullpen. (Or Sherrill could be trade bait; he’d draw interest from a number of contenders desperate for a competent left-hander, including the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, and Phillies.) Then there’s young right-hander Chris Tillman, who’s one of Seattle’s top ten prospects. In addition, the O’s would receive one or two minor league pitchers as a way of rounding out the deal. Given Bedard’s desire to leave Baltimore and his so-so injury history, this is a trade the Orioles need to finalize as soon as possible…

The Phillies made a sound signing in picking up Pedro Feliz to stabilize their third base situation. Though I’m not crazy about the idea of giving him a two-year contract, Feliz represents a good fit for Philadelphia. The Phillies—with an offensive nucleus headlined by Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard and supported by Pat “The Bat” Burrell—can carry Feliz’ low on-base percentage better than most teams. Most importantly, Feliz will be a huge defensive upgrade over Wes Helms and Greg Dobbs, while allowing that pairing to serve the Phillies in bench roles, where each man belongs…

Finally, I’m sure that some of the readers here are familiar with the fine work of Yankee blogger Steven Goldman, a mainstay of the Yes Network web site. Steve, a talented historian of the game, is currently recovering from thyroid surgery, the latest in a line of cancer-related battles. Please send Steve a get-well wish at oldprofessor@wholesomereading.com.