New York Yankees GM thinks 2014 was worst-case scenario?

By Ed Carroll | Sep 28, 2014

Yankees GM Brian Cashman thought he had the Yankees pitching problems solved with Tanaka. Now he needs to fix the rotation again.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Yankees ended 2014 much the same the team ended the 2013 season: by not making the playoffs. The Yankees have had plenty to distract themselves en route to 83 wins this year, not the least of which was Derek Jeter’s farewell marathon around the Major Leagues. But General Manager Brian Cashman thinks 2014 represents the worst-case scenario for the Yankees.

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“I honestly believe if you repeated this season 100 times,” Cashman told the New York Daily News by phone on Friday, “you would not get this result.”

Apparently Cashman was mostly referring to the offense, in particular, the injury-plagued seasons of first baseman Mark Teixeira (wrist), free agent pickup Carlos Beltran (elbow), and an early-season transitional slump for catcher Brian McCann, who also was signed as a free agent this past offseason.

Cashman also appears slightly optimistic regarding the starting rotation, particularly if Masahiro Tanaka can avoid Tommy John surgery. The Yankees 2015 rotation could consist of Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Shane Greene and Ivan Nova is scheduled to return from Tommy John surgery in the second half of 2015. Re-signing impending free agent Brandon McCarthy could give the Yankees a formidable rotation, assuming health and luck allows it to be one.

Still, if nothing else, it looks like the Yankees aren’t expecting to spend for another star this offseason, after signing Jacoby Ellsbury, McCann, Tanaka and Beltran last season. New York will need to find a replacement at shortstop for Jeter (and Steven Drew is not expected to return), and closer David Robertson can be a free agent this winter as well.

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