Yankees Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman Set Expectations

New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman kept busy all winter, regardless of how the results are evaluated. And with opening day approaching, he is not easing his foot off the gas pedal.

“I think I spent all winter trying to exploit all the options and every opportunity that was available,” he told NJ.com. “Thus is the result of those efforts. That doesn’t stop. It never should stop. The team has been active and will remain that way.”

Efforts to add middle reliever Tommy Hunter and former Mets’ first baseman Ike Davis were in the works, but Hunter didn’t pass his physical and Davis signed with the Texas Rangers.

According to the report, the Yankees go into spring training with a couple of questions to answer. The front end bullpen spots need to be decided. Back up spots at catcher and third base are still a concern, as well. There is also a battle for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

Realistically, there are other concerns. Can the Yankees reach the World Series with Chase Headley at third base? Can Alex Rodriguez repeat his 2015 offensive performance? Despite the apparent surplus of starting pitchers, with the recent history of injuries, do the Yankees still need more?

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Manager Joe Girardi recently supported Cashman’s off season efforts, pointing out that the Yankees now have more depth. Of course, depth creates competition. But Girardi wants the players to worry about conditioning first, and then competition.

“I always have a concern about players trying to do too much,” Girardi said, according to MLB.com. “I will let them know that you’re not going to impress me on your sides, you’re not going to impress me in the first week of games. Give yourself a chance to get physically caught up in where you should be before you start competing.”

Still, Girardi has not lost focus on the ultimate goal. It is always on his mind, even as spring training is just beginning. “Our goal is to win the World Series, bottom line,” Girardi said, also according to MLB.com. “I appreciate how hard our guys played all year, how they never gave up, but we didn’t get to where we wanted. Our goal is to win the World Series. That’s why we come to Spring Training.”

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