New York Yankees: Brian Cashman continues to push the right buttons

The New York Yankees continue to find ways to win regardless of the various injuries due in large part to the front office decisions of general manager Brian Cashman.

As we are officially at the midway point of the regular season the league’s best players have finished their gathering in Cleveland for the annual All-Star game. The New York Yankees proudly showcased multiple players on the team, one of which has been a pleasant surprise and possible MVP candidate in DJ LeMahieu just another signature signing of general manager Brian Cashman.

It’s become a common trend for the Yankees to be a dominant team heading into the second half of the season ever since Cashman took over the GM role in 1998. He’s been responsible for four world series championship teams during his tenure and has managed to reel in some big names to the Bronx over the years in a very aggressive fashion. Names like Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, and Hideki Matsui were all under Cashman’s spell at the negotiation table as he found ways to flex the Yankees budget while still selling overall team greatness.

This year Cashman has once again raised his bar of excellence with several moves that have the Yankees poised for yet another deep playoff run. The addition of LeMahieu was so under the radar the last offseason as the former Colorado Rockies All-Star was expected to be a utility infielder backing up at several positions. After several injuries to starting infielders Greg Bird, Miguel Andujar, and Troy Tulowitzki, LeMahieu was pushed into action providing his expected gold glove caliber defense and consistent hitting.

Another notable signing by Cashman was the acquisition of Designated Hitter Edwin Encarnacion as even more insurance for the offense in case of an extended absence from Giancarlo Stanton. Encarnacion is one of the more feared hitters in the league ranking amongst the best in home runs and only cost the Yankees an expendable minor league prospect in their deal with the Seattle Mariners. Honorable mention also goes to Cameron Maybin as he was also a productive acquisition by Cashman before his recent injury placing him on the IL.

As the trade deadline approaches the next necessary move appears to be in the starting rotation as the Yankees would love to add another arm for the stretch run. Cashman was quoted recently in an interview to be working the phones all night while the team battled in London against the Boston Red Sox.

"“I have nothing to show for my efforts, but I’ve stayed engaged since I’ve been over here (in London), Cashman said Sunday. “After (Friday’s) off day, I couldn’t sleep. It was 1:30 in the morning, I was texting with various GMs and they were like, ‘Aren’t you in London?’ Yeah, but I can’t sleep.”"

"“I’d love to add pitching if I can, whether it’s bullpen, the rotation, Cashman said. I’d like to re-enforce our pitching and get our pitching that’s hurt healthy and then have the pitching we currently have stay healthy.”"

The Yankees are rumored to be looking at pitchers Madison Bumgarner, Marcus Stroman, and others before the deadline, so Cashman has more dealing to do before it’s playoff time.