Brian Cashman Quotations

We've always considered Roger a Yankee. If he decides to play, he'll give us the courtesy of an audience. We'll have to take a look at it when the time comes.

We're going to cover it, definitely. What we take from it, I don't know, because it's hard to speak to something that never has been done before. It's hard to say until we see the level of competition, but if there are games being played, we're going to cover them.

We're just adding to the inventory. It gives us more choices to see if there's anything out there than can help contribute to our success.

We're getting closer to something we're comfortable with.

With the offensive lineup that we have, you can afford that, to squeeze something like that in, ... If you can get a fly-ball catcher to hold the fort and support the pitching staff, you won?t be doing yourself an injustice.

We'll see what they can give us. It was a chance to add to our inventory and there's no risk.

There are more teams looking for pitchers than there are pitchers. That's why it's pricey.

I wish more people knew Steve Howe the way I knew him. His struggles in life were well documented, but he always tried to fight through them and I will always respect that. My thoughts and prayers go out wife Cindy and his family.

We're playing our best ball right now, ... The way we played earlier in the year, I can't explain it, I can't defend, it was inexcusable. But somehow we turned it around. Don't ask me, because I haven't got the answer, But we're a different team today than what you saw in May and June.

We didn't want to wait until they were knocking on the door, getting close. We wanted to get them here, let them get a taste of it, soak in as much from the people around them as they can.

We have interest in him if he is interested. The ball is in his court. If he has interest, we have interest back.

We're going forward as though he's catching all season. We're not trying to avoid it.

Like every year, we try to put together the best staff possible; hopefully we've done that. We have a lot of experience, a lot of people our players can go to for help.

Let's get what we can get accomplished and let's concentrate on the future at a more appropriate time, which is after we get through the season.

She's not going to get the job because she's a woman, and I don't think she's getting interviewed because she's a woman. I think she's getting interviewed because she deserves to have that opportunity because of that hard work she's put forth.

My focus is trying to get this right.

No, not right now. No one told me I should be.

My hope is that Gary and I will continue having discussions directly with each other, and the rest of it can stay out of the press. Hopefully this is all behind us and we can go forward. There will be a time and a place for the option.

Maybe he will be calling me now. I hope so, he's a good baseball man. We'd love to have him.

Obviously, this winter, where it's such a thin market, the reason the money has gotten so high is because there's very little choices.

Obviously it's something that's unique and difficult. We'll lose some guys for a period of time. Hopefully they produce at high levels for those clubs, stay healthy and get back to us whenever their WBC season is over.

Obviously, ... like the rest of us, he was disappointed, and he's hoping for a better outcome in Game 4.

Obviously George Steinbrenner is a huge fan of Bernie Williams and appreciates everything he's done for this franchise and what we've all done together. Our owner knows that all the way down to a Yankee fan who only attends one game a year. The entire franchise knows what Bernie Williams is and what he's meant to this place.

One of the reasons we were attracted to Ron was that he's versatile. He can spot start, he can long relieve or be a situational lefty, all without complaint. That's attractive. We think he's a good fit.

If we had won today, we'd be going to New York.

I don't have a final report yet. I'll have one before Thursday's game.

I could see it was bothering him when he was throwing. Hopefully, it's nothing more than a small episode.

Based on what my conversation was last night, right now, he can pinch-run and might be able to hit. If that's the case and he can get the treatment that he needs, then we'll continue it out there. But obviously if it's of a level higher than that, we'll pull him.

I don't think it's in my best interest to say I have a No. 1 priority and here it is. We'll get very aggressive when we feel the prices come within something that makes sense.

He works hard at his defense. He's gotten better and better, and now he's got two. Hopefully there are many more to come.

He takes the ball a lot, in a lot of different roles, without complaint and without issues. That's very attractive.

He's certainly exploring the market. ... The market is probably going to drive his decision. He seemed a lot fresher.

He has a bruise at the very least. He's playing. He's fine.

He hasn't performed to his expectation or ours, but that's not something that hasn't happened before, either.

He has been young everywhere we've put him. He's obviously very talented.

He has a power arm. That's a skill you can't teach. You hope something clicks when somebody new works with him.

He developed a bond up there for a reason. Their fan base is the same as ours; they appreciate maximum effort, accountability, he's a genuine guy and he lights up a room. I look forward to our fan base developing the same bond he had with that fan base.

He doesn't need to see him. He wants him to continue the therapy program he has been doing, and says as soon as he feels up to it he can get up on the mound.

He feels he can pinch-run right now and maybe hit. He just needs to get it calmed down, and that's why he's not a defensive player for them right now.

He feels good, he'll be ready, he's not worried. He just needs to get it calmed down.

He needs to get it calmed down, and that's why he's not a defensive player right now. That's all I can say right now. I'm not out there. He's not in our hands. It's not our workout. We're not treating him.

We've got to the 15th to try to get something done. In the meantime, I'm gathering all the information about what the available players on the trade market and the free-agent market are. We'll prioritize those. In the event on Nov. 16 we don't have Hideki Matsui, it will be another avenue to pursue.

We've got to surround Kyle with a lot more in the bullpen.

He's a great player that I hope we get back sooner than later. When he's ready to go, we'll find room for him. It really comes down to how he's feeling. It's a waiting game, and it will take as long as it takes.

He's a real quality baseball man. He's been a big asset for us this year. I know he hasn't had any managerial experience but he's managed the game behind the plate for so many years that I think it makes up for a lot.

He's always a bright-side type of guy. He feels he's going to be fine and ready and this is small problem.

He's a unique player. Not only is he someone who is incredibly talented on the field, but that talent actually translates to success in New York,

He's got time to do what's necessary to get us where we need to be.

His spirits are up. He seemed happy and he wants to get going.

He's going to have to go through Spring Training.

He's been young everywhere we've put him. But obviously he is very talented.

Hopefully, this is nothing, but we want to make sure. We have a lot invested in him.

Hopefully the process that we covered today will help put us in better position to do so. But time will tell.

He wants to help that USA team win, but he's also committed to being ready for us at the same time. It's one of those balancing acts.

He didn't want to sign here and then in a week be traded. I think that was the deciding factor.

He just felt stiff, so we're taking it day to day with him. I'm glad he said something.

He knows how we feel. I've talked to (Hendricks).

He knows whatever time he needs, he should take. Our prayers are with him. His family is going through a very difficult time right now.

The only thing that's changed is it's getting better.

Joe has a great deal of trust in him. Joe has worked close with Ron for a number of years, and he's been talking to him for three years about replacing Mel when Mel decided to retire. This is the man he wanted.

I was calling around looking for anybody who was available. I was desperate for pitching, and he was available. There wasn't anything about him we particularly liked other than that we could get him.

I think we're a better team. That's the hope, but you have to play it out.

I think Carl needed to say that more than I needed to hear it.

It happened there. Right now, he's OK to stay out there and try and help the U.S. team obviously in a limited way now.

I think that's something we'll deal with at the end of the season.

I respect the heck out of Kenny because he swings for the fences. He will do whatever it takes to help his team win, except cheat.

People are starting to believe what we were saying last year ? we're strong, but strong 'low'.

Our reports from Gordon Blakeley and John Cox were pretty accurate. No one predicted 50 home runs. He lived up to our expectations. We knew we were getting a run producer, someone who would hit 20 home runs and more.

People keep acting like we have some kind of easy schedule the rest of the way because of the records of the teams we're facing, ... Well, don't be so sure. How much of this season have we spent playing to the level of the opposition?

I won't comment on specific trade rumors or rumblings, ... It's my job to float ideas, weather balloons, out to my counterparts. Ninety-nine percent of them fall to the ground helplessly.

I think everybody recognized after what a difficult year we've gone through that things had to change,

Johnny was a perfect fit for us. We had a big-time interest in him.

Maybe it'll help, ... We've done it in the past. I don't remember the last time we did it, but he's available if guys want to hit off him. It's up to Joe and Donnie.

I wasn't optimistic coming into it. It's a weak free-agent market.

Mel told me that he'd always be interested in staying around. I talked to the Boss about it. He thought it was a good idea. Mel thought it was a good idea. Everybody basically felt: Let's continue the relationship. Mel did a tremendous job here for a long time and provides a lot of valuable insight. So it's nice to have him as part of the support system as we move forward.

We were looking to make some changes and add some youth. We never could have expected this.

We'll try to take that extra million-one and spend it wisely in the free-agent market. I'm satisfied that the move we made today is the right move for us.

We've liked him for a number of years.

We've learned over time that when you have pieces that are working here in New York, don't waste your time trying to upgrade something that works, ... Spend your time working on areas that need to be addressed. We're going to embrace the guys we know can thrive in this environment.

With the four guys I have (in the middle), I can make a case for anything.

We have the time to make sure there are no issues and resolve what he's feeling.

When I saw that Octavio had surgery I started counting the dates because I knew he was a free agent. I thought there might be something there.

We haven't made any contingency plans on if he doesn't come back.

We are delighted to add Tony to our 2006 coaching staff. His knowledge, passion and experience provide an awesome opportunity for this organization.

We are not permitted to comment on it,

Tommy was a very important piece for us. What he did the last two years was remarkable. The eighth inning in New York is like the ninth inning anywhere else. He's been there, done that, and he's going to be fine in Philadelphia.

To be as far back as we were, to come back and fall short, it just wouldn't be right. We've had to deal with a lot this year, but we still have work to do.

We'd like to see what (Phillips) can do, ... That's our initial thought and we think he'd do very well if given the chance. We're not locked into it, but it's a direction we're looking at.

The deal was done, but the paperwork didn't go through until 3:59, ... That's when the fax went through -- and I have proof of that.

We've been saying summer. Could it be sooner? It certainly could be sooner. Right now, he's still got a lot of things to do before we start thinking about when he could actually get to us.

We have good confidence if Shawn Chacon takes the ball that we're going to have a chance, ... We'll be in the game and we'll have a chance to win it because he's done that well for us this year.

There is a business side that comes along with us because of his status. That?s certainly a factor in this.

We're required to put the best team on the field, and we're going to be judged on those decisions. I think it's a lot ado about nothing. It's unfortunate.

Why should it? There's nothing wrong with him. I'm not worried because no one else has told me there's any issue here.

We will need choices, You always do. It's somewhat of an insurance policy. He's also prepared to go to Triple-A.

Finding players that can perform on the big stage in New York, it makes it that much more important to retain those players. Hideki's a rare individual where he produces on the field, contributes to the bottom line in winning, but he also provides some extra intangibles because of the severe interest coming over from Japan.

Until he's throwing off the mound, I guess it will be a question mark. He's got a full, clean bill of health, but he has to go out there every five days and mow hitters down without complaint.

You can't do this job with a GM and a manager that don't see eye to eye, that aren't on the same page, ... That's a recipe for disaster.

We want to give the specialist a chance to give his opinion before we do anything else. Hopefully, it's nothing. But we have a lot invested in him.

We just want him right. He's a starter, so we need to build him back up to be a starter. But today was good news for me.