Power Struggles in the Front Office

For the past several years, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has worked very hard to develop the Yankees' minor league system, keep the major league team competitive, all the while reducing payroll. At times, these competing goals have brought Cashman into conflict with his bosses in Tampa.

"Soriano was not the only time I was overruled this offseason," explained Cashman. "I didn't want to sign Martin either. There were serious concerns about his health and I just thought we could use those $4 million differently. I went to Hal and said, 'Look, I have this chair in the office I don't use, we can lean this board against it and use it as a back stop.' Hal's all, 'No, I demand a human catcher!' Sometimes people don't see eye to eye. Sometimes they don't appreciate your vision. But it's their team, their money."