Yanks re-sign GM Brian Cashman to 4-year deal

SAN DIEGO -- The title of Yankees general manager once was an incredibly volatile and high-stress position, one that should have come with aspirin and antacid stocked in the unlucky occupant’s desk. A young Brian Cashman recalled walking past that office and thinking, “I would never want that job.”

Yet here we are, a quarter century after Cashman took the reins from a retiring Bob Watson, and there is more to come. The longest-tenured GM in franchise history, Cashman agreed to an extension through the 2026 season to continue in his current role, the club announced on Monday. Contract terms were not disclosed.

“I’m competitive, for whatever reason. I’m wired that way,” Cashman said. “We’ve had challenges, and we want to win. First and foremost, I love being part of this organization. They are committed to try to win, not in the future, but obviously in the present.”

In 2022, Cashman surpassed Ed Barrow (Oct. 28, 1920 to Feb. 20, 1945) as the Yankees’ longest-serving GM. Cashman, 55, is also the longest-tenured current GM, having steered the franchise to postseason berths in 21 of his 25 seasons (1998-2007, ’09-12, ’15, ’17-22).

Cashman’s previous contract expired on Oct. 31. He and managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner agreed to have Cashman continue in his role as general manager while negotiating the terms of his new contract.

“I’ve told him that I want him back,” Steinbrenner said on Nov. 15. “I think he’s a good general manager. It’s a complex job, and he’s got a handle on all of it.”

Over Cashman’s tenure, the Yankees have claimed 14 American League East titles, six AL pennants and four World Series titles (1998, ’99, 2000 and ’09). The Yankees have posted a winning record in each of Cashman’s 25 seasons as GM. Cashman said it was not awkward or uncomfortable to steer through November without a deal.

“A lot of people asked me questions early and I just said, ‘We’ll eventually get to it,’” Cashman said. “I know Hal stated early that he’d like to have me back, and I wanted to be back. We had a quick conversation; it wasn’t dragging out. It wasn’t a lot of back and forth. It was something we got done rather quickly, but we were focused on other things.”