By GEORGE A. KING III
TAMPA — Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman are gambling with pinstripe dice.
Asked today about the GMâs future in The Bronx, Steinbrenner spoke glowingly of Cashman but admitted he hasnât thought beyond this season when Cashmanâs three-year deal worth $5.4 million expires.
âI have no idea yet,” Steinbrenner said. âWe havenât even talked.” By waiting until after the season is completed, the Yankees risk losing Cashman to another team, especially if the Yankees win a World Series title with a lot of homegrown talent. Pat Gillick is retiring in Philadelphia, and Cashmanâs name was linked to the Phillies before he re-upped with the Yankees following the 2005 season when he was given broader control of the organization.
Yet Cashman also is gambling saying he wants to wait until after the season.
âItâs not a topic on the front burner and it doesnât need to be either,” said the 40-year-old, who is in his 11th year as GM. âI have a job and I have a contract. There will be decisions made that donât need to be dealt with now. Thatâs not something you think about before the contract is up. I am totally focused on the job I am being paid for. I am not ready to start conversations going forward.”
By waiting, Cashman is risking a poor season that may nudge Steinbrenner to look for a replacement. Steinbrenner thinks very highly of amateur scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, often praising his drafting of the arms Steinbrenner says will make the Yankees a pitching power across the next decade.
Steinbrenner and Cashman have talked this spring, but according to the former, a new deal hasnât been on the table.
âAll we’ve been doing is talking about the team so far. And I think he’s as happy as I am with everything we’ve seen so far,” Steinbrenner said.
Asked when he will discuss an extension, Steinbrenner said, âWe’ll talk about it during the season, yeah. I think we’ll talk. I think it will just happen when it happens naturally.”
