“Bet he won’t be comfortable come the playoffs” - Yankee fans react to Brian Cashman’s approach on bullpen moves after trade deadline

In the early stages of the 2024 season, Yankees GM Brian Cashman was not concerned with pitching. Despite finishing with one of the AL's poorest records last season, the Yankees ranked first in bullpen ERA. Between April 1 and June 1 of this year, the team sported a 2.78 ERA. Since July 16, the team's 4.86 figure ranks 25th out of 30 MLB teams.

As such, the doubt had begun to fester in the collective consciousness of the Yankees fanbase, and demands for relief reinforcements began to come ahead of the deadline. However, after the July 30 cut-off came and went, no bullpen arms had been added. In subsequent comments to SNY, Brian Cashman claimed that adding a closer was not his priority.

"Brian Cashman expressed his confidence in Clay Holmes earlier today" - Talkin' Yanks

The longtime New York Yankees GM expressed his support for their current closer, Clay Holmes, and added that the team does not need help on the backend of the bullpen. Holmes is 2-4 on the season, with a 2.47 ERA in 44 innings. However, Holmes' ERA has jumped to 3.38 over his past ten games, sparking concern among fans.

Although the Yankees were active insofar as their big-time acquisition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins, questions have surrounded their pitching staff. Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, and Carlos Rodon have all had disappointing seasons, and the strategy of relying on the club's big bats exclusively in the playoffs does not sit well with many.

"Liar" - quipped a fan about Cashman

"Maybe Cashman should go out there and close the game" - said a commenter

"Cashman does not know ball" - raged another

Now, 57 years old, Brian Cashman has served in his capacity as Yankees manager since 1998. A four-time World Series champion, Cashman has not led the Bronx Bombers to a Fall Classic win since their victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.

"Yes, but we fans aren't comfortable with you!" - exclaimed a dissenter

"How is he employed still" - asked another

"I can't believe it" - was a final remark

Brian Cashman tried in vain for pitching at deadline

While Yankees fans grow increasingly uneasy about the team's pitching situation, Cashman apparently checked in with the Detroit Tigers regarding their pitcher Jack Flaherty, who was eventually traded to the Dodgers. As the veteran GM told AP:

“I would have brought Jack Flaherty in if I could have matched up, and I had difficulty matching up and that was the reason I don’t have him, I tried to import him and I had trouble matching up on the values.”

With the team still being one of the best offensive clubs around, it remains to be seen if their expensive, but underperforming pitchers can get them far beyond September.