Yankees' Brian Cashman pushes back -- 'I'm proud of our people' - ESPN

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spent much of his hourlong media availability on Tuesday vehemently pushing back against some of the backlash directed toward the organization in the wake of an 82-win season, frequently defending the team's decision-making process and the various people involved with it.

«I'm proud of our people, and I'm proud of our process,» Cashman said from the site of the General Managers' Meetings on Tuesday afternoon. «Doesn't mean we're firing on all cylinders, doesn't mean we're the best in class, but I think we're pretty f---ing good, personally. I'm proud of our people, and I'm also looking forward to '24 being a better year than '23.»

The Yankees made the playoffs each of the previous six years but haven't advanced into the World Series since winning it all in 2009. In 2023, they finished 19 games out of first place and needed a 17-10 September to avoid their first losing season since 1992, prompting widespread calls for Cashman and sixth-year manager Aaron Boone to get fired.

The Yankees' offense was exposed while without Aaron Judge for most of June and July, ultimately finishing 24th in the majors in OPS. Outside of Gerrit Cole, their starting pitchers combined to post a 4.49 ERA. In hopes of breaking through an American League East that has become appreciably more difficult with the Baltimore Orioles emerging as contenders, Cashman said the Yankees need to «reinforce our pitching» while adding two outfielders — preferably left-handed hitters — and addressing what he called an «infield surplus.»

Day 1 of the GM Meetings, taking place at the Omni Scottsdale Resort, marked Cashman's first public comments since August, when he called the Yankees' season a