Football
Associated Press 19y

GM: 'I just don't like the way we're playing'

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Just like his boss, Brian Cashman has seen enough.

With the $200 million Yankees off to a 10-15 start, New York's general manager decided to join the team for a series at Tampa Bay.

"After 25 games, I don't want to see it anymore," Cashman said before Monday night's game against the Devil Rays. "If I get a personal preference, my personal preference is that I've seen enough. I just don't like the way we're playing. I'm not going to wait for it to continue."

Cashman called owner George Steinbrenner on Sunday after the Yankees blew a three-run lead in an 8-6 loss to Toronto, completing a 3-6 homestand.

"I called George last night and said I'd like to take a flight," Cashman said. "The way we're playing, I don't want to be too far away. I thought yesterday's game was the worst one we had this year."

Steinbrenner already chastised his team this season, releasing a statement on April 17 immediately after the Yankees were swept in Baltimore.

"Enough is enough," The Boss said.

On Monday, Steinbrenner said through a spokesman: "It's in Joe Torre's and Brian Cashman's hands."

Torre hadn't spoken with Steinbrenner before Monday night's game. Steinbrenner is scheduled to leave his home in Tampa later this week to watch his horse, Bellamy Road, run in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

"I'm sure he's not too pleased about what we're doing here," Torre said. "When you leave spring training, you always have high expectations. But then all the things you looked for aren't happening. Just sometimes you don't play as well as you're supposed to all the time. That's where we are right now. Certainly, I didn't miscalculate what the abilities are, but we have not lived up to them right now."

Cashman, in the final year of his contract, is not worried about his job status.

"I'm worrying about making sure that the job gets done," Cashman said. "I'm not worrying about my future. We've got to find a way to get it going."

The Yankees will probably make some roster moves this week. Relief pitcher Tanyon Sturtze (oblique muscle) and designated hitter Ruben Sierra (biceps) could be activated from the 15-day disabled list by Friday.

New York has 12 pitchers on the roster, but Cashman said he would prefer to carry 11. Relievers Steve Karsay and Felix Rodriguez are among those who could be affected when Sturtze and Sierra return.

Cashman said he has a plan in place for when Sturtze rejoins the team but declined to give details.

Torre hasn't lost his sense of humor during the recent struggles. After saying he hopes Steinbrenner's horse wins Saturday, Torre joked that "I'd hate to have him take it out on us" if Bellamy Road lost.

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