When the February sun shines across the baseball world and the standings show everyone is undefeated, it’s easy to slip into the zen state of spring training nirvana. But there’s one question in our annual spring survey that brings us back to life. That’s the part where we asked voters, a panel of 31 executives, former executives, coaches and scouts, which teams, front offices and managers are feeling the most pressure. As always, they have some ideas!
Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and Yankees (16 votes): Does it sometimes feel like Brian Cashman has been the Yankees general manager since the days of Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford? In fact, only 26 years have passed. But over the past 14 games, the Yankees have forgotten to do the one thing they have done more than any other team: win a World Series. So if this vote reveals anything, it’s that Cashman and his manager Aaron Boone may want to re-chart the path to the Canyon of Heroes because their job security may depend on it. … “I like cash,” one National League executive said. “He’s been there longer than anyone. But the team has to make a statement.”
Oliver Mamore and the Cardinals (12 votes): good news For the Cardinals: Our voters had mostly positive reviews for the offseason, which added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to the rotation and added Andrew Kittredge and Kenan Middleton adds bullpen depth. … The bad news for the Cardinals: Their entire rotation may be 33 or older — and we’ve heard a lot of criticism about their head coach Oli Marmol and his ability to navigate this. Concerns about the ship’s ability to storm. … “They are No. 1 on my list of teams most likely to replace (head coaches),” one NFC rival executive said. “All I’m saying is: Don’t sleep on Yadi (Molina)’s job managing (Puerto Rico) in the Caribbean Series.”
AJ PREELLER/PADRES Front Desk (10 votes): Last year, in the same space, a rival executive made a bold prediction: If the Padres don’t win the division, in a season when the Dodgers are clearly in restructuring mode, “it’s going to be dizzying.” moment.” Well… maybe not. The Padres raised their payroll to $255 million and bolstered their roster, but still finished 18 games behind the Dodgers. Yet even after the debris settled, Preller’s head didn’t roll anywhere. But now the risks seem greater. Padres miss chance to beat Dodgers…beloved owner Peter Seidler loses battle with cancer…they cut payroll by nearly $100 million…and Juan Soto moves away from Gaslamp Quarter 3,000 miles. So the message to our voters is this: It’s time for Preller to get really nervous. … “They spent all their money,” an American League executive said. “What do they have to show for this?”
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Four other teams are feeling the heat, too
pressure? Dave Roberts looked calm, cool and collected this spring. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today)
They did not reach the medal stand. But these four teams also caught the attention of a group of voters.
Dave Roberts/Dodgers (five votes): When your team spends over a billion dollars in free agency, is that what a manager would do? have win? Five voters highly recommended Dave Roberts of Chavez Canyon. One voter’s opinion:
“They need to get to the World Series or they might make a change.”
FARHAN ZAIDI/GIANT (four votes): Are Giants starting to feel like your fisherman buddy who keeps telling you the sizes of all the big fish he catches? No Involved? It seems that way at times, every time another free agent standout breaks free from their net.
As a result, there are clear questions about whether this team’s lack of star power can keep up with its president of baseball operations, Farhan Zaidi.
Perry Minassian/Angels (four votes): Given all the dysfunction in the owner’s box, it’s hard to see how fair it is to blame their general manager Perry Minasian for the Angels’ troubles. But four voters thought Minassian could pay the price anyway.
John Schneider/Blue Jays Leadership (four votes): Finally, there are the Blue Jays. The good news is that they’ve made the playoffs two years in a row under very likable coach John Schneider. The bad news is that they were eliminated twice without winning a game.
The good news is that they’ve been chasing Shohei Ohtani and Soto all winter. The bad news is that their entire offseason turned into one huge swing and miss.
So the pressure is real. Our voters are divided over who is most upset — Snyder or this front office. But if depressing winters lead to depressing summers, we might find out.
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(Photos of Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman: William Perlman/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
