While the Yankees appear likely to miss the playoffs for a second straight season, top team brass isn't about to blame any possible disappointment on long-time general manager Brian Cashman, and by and large give Cashman good or better marks for his performance, assuring that he'll be asked to return for a 18th season as general manager and beyond, according to people familiar with the situation.
Yankees higher-ups are impressed with Cashman's in-season pickups, including starter Brandon McCarthy, infielder/outfielder Martin Prado and third baseman Chase Headley, and sources say they fairly don't blame him for the underperformance of some of their established veteran hitters ("they were all on board with Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran," one league official familiar with their thinking said). Yankees higher-ups, according to one league executive, believe a likely second straight quiet October "isn't [Cashman's] fault."
Heyman