Accomplished longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recently parted ways with the team after 24 years. Belichick’s departure should mean all long-serving executives or coaches who have been struggling are now on notice. One longtime executive who should take Belichick’s leaving the Patriots as a wakeup call is New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman. It’s been 14 years since the Yankees last won the World Series and are coming off their worst season since 2016. Bill Belichick’s departure should also be a sign that Brian Cashman should no longer have immunity.
The Yankees Haven’t Been as Successful in Recent Years
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Belichick, Brian Cashman has had a very accomplished career. Since taking over as GM in 1998, Cashman has led the Yankees to 14 AL East titles, seven wild card berths, six pennants, and four World Series championships. However, since winning the World Series in 2009; Cashman’s teams haven’t made it back to the Fall Classic. They’ve since been knocked out of the playoffs ten times. This includes being beaten by the Houston Astros in the ALCS three different times. They’ve also missed the postseason altogether four times including last season.
Cashman Has Brought Lots of Defective Players in Recent Years
Embed from Getty ImagesBesides the World Series drought, the area that’s been driving fans the craziest is Cashman’s inability recently to bring healthy players. Players brought in like Harrison Bader, Frankie Montas, Andrew Heaney, Sonny Gray, Aaron Hicks, Andrew Benintendi, Joey Gallo, and more were either hurt or ineffective. Cashman’s prized free agent signing from last offseason, Carlos Rodon isn’t off to a promising start either.
Offseason Improvements Have Been Made
This offseason, Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner has been seemingly operating like his father. The Yankees have been aggressive in attempting to improve their roster. New York has traded for Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo. In free agency, they signed former Cubs ace Marcus Stroman. The Yankees don’t appear to be done making moves yet as they’ve been rumored to have more deals in the works as well.
If Bill Belichick Can Be Fired So Can Brian Cashman
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Bill Belichick, Brian Cashman has been the Yankees’ GM for a long time and has been very successful. However, in recent years, New York hasn’t been nearly as successful. Cashman made a lot more mistakes in recent years that would get most general managers fired. It’s been 14 years since the Yankees last won a championship. In New York’s market and with their fans’ high expectations, this isn’t acceptable. While the Yankees have done a lot of things this offseason to improve their club from last season’s disaster. However, it remains to be seen whether those moves will work because they haven’t in recent years. If the Yankees fail again, then it’s time to start questioning whether Brian Cashman’s time has run its course in the Bronx. If a coach as successful as Bill Belichick can be fired, then Brian Cashman shouldn’t feel he has immunity.
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