by Paul Semendinger
January 5, 2023
***
Amazing. Simply amazing. The Yankees are doing good things to make the team better not just on the field but in the offices as well.
President John F. Kennedy once supposedly said, when surrounded by the impressive brain trust of his cabinet as they sat in the Oval Office), "There hasn't been this much brain power in this room since Thomas Jefferson sat here alone."
The Yankees, I am sure, have brilliant minds in their organization. And, as I have said, often, I am primarily a supporter of Brian Cashman. (That doesn't mean I sometimes don't get frustrated with the moves he makes, but...)
I was very pleased the other day when the Yankees brought in Brian Sabean as a Senior Advisor.
Today, the Yankees did it again.
Today, the Yankees brought in Omar Minaya to also work with and advise Brian Cashman.
The Yankees are creating a powerful and impressive brain trust.
Jack Curry notes:
As noted, Sabean and Minaya were brought in to be "other voices in the Yankees’ decision room." The Yankees (or Jack Curry) are noting that it is , "Important to mix analytics info and scouting info."
To which I respond, "YES." And, "Yes, yes, yes, and yes."
(And maybe a "Thank you" as well.)
Right now most teams are looking at things in the same exact ways. There is nothing wrong with analytics, but when information is used for the sake of information at the exclusion of the fact that players are human beings and devoid of common sense, it becomes a problem.
Over the last many years, I believe, the Yankees have bought in too much to analytics. That was one reason they didn't get lefty bats a few years ago. The stats told them that a right-handed lineup could do just as well. (The numbers were wrong.)
I also believe Aaron Boone's managerial approach is based more on analytics than common sense at times (for example when they or he pre-determines, days in advance the day a player gets a rest).
To me this looks like the Yankees are looking for a better balance - and that can only help.
The key to success is often original thinking - not just doing what everyone else is doing. Too many teams use that approach, they follow what worked for someone else and try (often unsuccessfully) to model that approach as their own.
It looks like the Yankees are looking to establish their own approach - using the numbers smartly, and also using common sense, scouting data, and more, to build the best possible team and to make the best decisions.
I applaud big thinking.
I applaud Brian Cashman for bringing in voices that can help him. (I have worked with many leaders, for decades, and it's rare to find ones that are wiling to be challenged by opposing voices and perspectives - to the detriment of the organization.) Brian Cashman is demonstrating, again, that he is wiling, able, and wants to see and hear other ideas, other approaches, and such. Only good can come from that.
The Yankees haven't won a World Series since 2009. They've only been to the World Series once since 2001. It's been a long time since the Yankees were the standard for success.
I believe that these moves further indicate that the Yankees are looking to use every approach to be successful in 2023 and beyond.
GOOD FOR THE YANKEES! I applaud this move.
