Late in the summer of 2008, Yankee fans and Columnists from all over New York were screaming from the rooftops for Brian Cashman to "tear the Yankees apart!" (www.nysun.com/sports/these-yankees-need-to-be.../84323/). Deemed old and overpaid, the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since '93 ('94 doesn't count due to the Strike). And yet, despite their disappointing finish, Brian Cashman had the insight to instead build up, rather than tear down.
Armed with an open checkbook, Cashman (have you ever noticed the irony in that name?) went wild in the market finding upgrades at first base (Mark Teixeira to the tune of $20 million a year + a $5 million dollar bonus), a #1 starter to replace the retired Mike Mussina (C.C. Sabathia for the surprising low total of only $14 million a year...oh, but don't forget the $9 million dollar bonus) and a Strong #2 Starter, A. J. Burnett (for only $16.5 million a year...No bonus...Sorry A.J.)
Cashman also made a very shrewd move acquiring Nick Swisher from the White Sox to replace Bobby Abreu in Right, (and giving the Yanks a little personality or "flavor" in the process). And 2009 saw a healthy return of two of the best clutch hitters in baseball and RBI producers in postseason history, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui.
But Cashman's best move (and without a doubt, most efficient) has been the building of a $840,225 bridge. The signing of Sabathia and Burnett allowed the Yankees to move Joba Chamberlain ($432,575) and Phil Hughes($407,650) into the pen, and in essence, create a bridge to the best closer in baseball, Mariano Rivera ($15 million a year and worth every penny) and that bridge (as well as $208,097,414 total greenbacks) is the reason the Yankees are the best team money can buy!
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