ST. PETERSBURG — With the MLB Draft starting on Sunday, Brian Cashman already had plans to be at the Yankees ’ player development complex in Tampa this week. But with the team flailing for the third straight summer , Cashman chose to make his presence known at Tropicana Field before the Yankees’ series-opener against the Rays on Tuesday.
“It’s been a struggle obviously,” Cashman said with the Yankees on a 6-16 skid. “Thankfully, we got out of the gates really strong, so hopefully that cushion will allow us to work through this, hopefully sooner than later because it’s gone on long enough.” As Cashman alluded to, the Yankees started the year with a 49-21 record.
As bad as they’ve been lately, they still had a 55-37, second-place record prior to Tuesday’s game. Asked if he was worried about the Yankees’ prolonged poor performance — which has been plagued by putrid pitching, offensive droughts and careless play — the executive said, “I’m always concerned. It’s my job to be in a position to never assume anything.
” Cashman also expressed faith in Aaron Boone, who has started to come under fire from the public. “Obviously, he works extremely hard,” Cashman said. “He’s very well connected with these guys.
And he’s charged every day with pushing the right buttons the best he can with what he’s got. I think he’s navigating that as well as he possibly can.” Cashman added he doesn’t feel a need to address the team.
While he’s done .