Brian Cashman

In an interview following the seventh game of the 1958 World Series, victorious New York Yankees manager Casey Stengel told a television audience the secret to his success:

"I couldn't have done it without the players."

General manager George Weiss, one of the least loved but one of the most successful evaluators of talent, put together a Yankees team whose eight starting players and pitching ace were all home grown.

On WFAN and YES today, Mike Francesca said that the New York Yankees should put together a trade for Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.

King Felix is regarded by many baseball experts as among the top three or four pitchers in all of baseball.

He won the American League Cy Young last year and finished second in 2009 on a really bad Mariners team.

Brian Cashman, who is the New York Yankees' Senior Vice President and General Manager, should examine his own actions before criticizing the management of New York's most beloved team, the New York Mets.

Cashman signed Pedro Feliciano, a journeyman left-handed relief pitcher, to an $8 million, two-year contract in January with an option for 2013. Now, more than two months later, Feliciano has a sore arm which has put him on the disabled list.

Earlier this spring, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman insisted that Manny Banuelos, who won't turn 20 years old for another few days, had "no chance" to make the major league team out of spring training. 

We all have regrets. Some of us more than others.

Take your author for example. While I was in Miami for a bachelor party last weekend, my girlfriend was in Boston visiting my friend's wife who recently had a baby.

With Andy Pettitte newly retired, the New York Yankees have considerable problems with their starting rotation. They’ll enter spring training with a projected rotation of CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, AJ Burnett and probably veteran Freddy Garcia and youngster Ivan Nova. After Sabathia, the other hurlers all have enormous question marks as the club looks ahead to the 2011 season.

Courtesy of Yankees 'n More

Earlier in the week, the Yankees acquired outfielder Justin Maxwell from the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor league righty Adam Olbrychowski.  Just yesterday, the team signed veterans Ronnie Belliard and Eric Chavez to minor league deals with invitations to spring training. 

Now that GM Brian Cashman is likely done bringing in possible bench options, I'll predict how helpful each of the aforementioned players can be to the Yankees in 2011.

After 16 seasons, 13 with the New York Yankees, Andy Pettitte has announced his retirement, ending any speculation he'll pitch in 2011.

Yes, he may still make a come back during the season, and certainly most Yankee fans hope he will, but for now, let's operate on the assumption that he's gone for good.

In 14 days, pitchers and catchers will report to their respective camps as 2011 spring training means baseball is finally back again.
 
For the New York Yankees, it means pitching tryouts will begin, as there are two big holes that need to be filled in the starting rotation.
 
GM Brain Cashman is trying to fill the fourth and fifth spots, while Yankees fans are holding their breath hoping southpaw Andy Pettitte will appear.