GM Brian Cashman tells Yankees fans: 'Don't give up on us' - ESPN

NEW YORK — Brian Cashman knows Yankees fans are ready to smash the panic button. The injury bug is sweeping through the clubhouse, the roster looks like a shell of itself and the team is sitting in last place.

Despite this, the Yankees' general manager said he believes they can win a World Series, as long as they get healthier.

«Don't count us out,» Cashman said before Wednesday's game. «Don't give up on us.… This is a championship-caliber operation.»

On May 3, 31 games into the season, the Yankees don't look like a team fielding a $277 million payroll, having posted a 16-15 record, 8 1/2 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. More than $151 million of the expensive clubhouse sits on the injured list, highlighted by right fielder Aaron Judge and his hip issue, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and his hamstring, and pitcher Carlos Rodon and his arm-turned-back issues.

But it's more than the superstars. The roster is missing a lot of depth, with Josh Donaldson, Luis Severino, Frankie Montas and key relievers Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino, Jonathan Loaisiga and Scott Effross all missing time.

«What's the biggest fear coming into the season on behalf of all general managers?» Cashman said. «I would say that you would not want to get wrecked by injuries early.»

To deal with all the injuries, Cashman and the front office are exploring the trade market, but with the season just one month old, there is not much interest from other teams in trying to make a deal. Cashman said the Yankees continue to explore trades that would deal from the roster's surplus of infielders, but both in the offseason and early in the campaign, no deal has made sense.

«It's not like the NBA with the G League where you can pick and choose whatever