Bernie Responds to Cashman’s Comments

 

From PA’s LoHud Blog:

Speaking at William Paterson University in New Jersey at an event with Theo Epstein, Cashman said Williams spent too much time with his music career “and that took away from his play” on the field.

Cashman said Williams had a “terrible season” in 2005 and that former manager Joe Torre was wrong to play Williams as often as he did in 2006 because better players were available.

Only two writers were there tonight. Told of Cashman’s comments, Williams first said he didn’t want to resond. But then he paused and took a deep breath.

“I don’t think he has any basis to say anything like that,” he said. “Let me put it this way: Questioning a person’s commitment to the team is a very serious accusation, at least in my book.”

I asked whether music was a distraction during the final seasons of his career. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he said. “I haven’t really talked to (Cashman) about what he said. But I want to.”

Cashman, although candid during the William Paterson event, really shouldn’t have said those things about Bernie. I’m not saying that the man shouldn’t speak his mind, I’m just saying that being that honest (brutally honest), publicly, could come back to haunt you.

Bernie was a big fan favorite and, on top of his many years of service, he really stepped up to the plate and helped the team out in 2006 (when everyone was injured), which was his final year. Hopefully Cashman and Bernie will squash this entire thing (and quickly).

Who’s Playing CF for the Twins?

From the Star Tribune:

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer on Saturday reacted to news that manager Ron Gardenhire considers him an option for center field.

“Honestly, I’m not sure how serious he was when he said he’d put me in center field,” said Cuddyer, who agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension on Friday.

Moments later, Gardenhire was on KSTP (1500 AM) and in front of a live audience at TwinsFest explaining just how serious he was. “He’s going to play some out there in spring training, I guarantee you,” Gardenhire said. “Delmon Young will, too.”

Gardenhire said he needs to look at options just in case the Twins don’t add a center fielder soon. Center fielders have been mentioned in every package in return for lefthander Johan Santana, who is expected to be traded. And there are indications that the Twins would sign a free agent such as Kenny Lofton or Corey Patterson if Santana is not traded or a major league-ready center fielder isn’t acquired in the trade.

But Gardenhire wants to be prepared just in case a center fielder isn’t added. Cuddyer, who led the AL with 19 outfield assists last season, will do as he’s told but clearly prefers to stay in right field.

“I’m in no place to dictate to the manager where I’ll play,” Cuddyer said. “At the same time I’m comfortable in right. I don’t think you can argue with the results in right.

It’ll be interesting to see how this develops further. Obviously, center field (for the Twins) is a position that can be changed via a Johan Santana trade, and the situation itself is driving most of the packages for Santana. But, the Twins are letting us know that they do have other (in-house) options if their demands for Santana are not met.

Rivalry on Hold

On Friday, at William Paterson University, Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein spoke to nearly 1,000 fans about their careers and their teams. It’s kind of weird hearing Epstein and Cashman be so friendly with each other, but, then again, it sort of makes sense that they would become friends in the baseball business.

Cashman spoke on a variety of issues, but I feel the following statement was worth noting. When asked about Bernie Williams and his departure from the team, Cashman brought up Joe Torre, and had this to say:

Cashman added Joe Torre had played Williams “ahead of guys who could help us win” in 2006, a reference to Melky Cabrera.

This is something we’ve all known for a long time. In fact, at times, Torre exhibited a loyalty to his veteran players that was simply disgusting. You saw it with his position players and you saw it with his pitchers. For this reason, I wonder how he’ll work out in LA, especially since there was such a division between young-and-old last season.

Either way, I’m glad to have Girardi leading the club this year. He’ll construct the team in an effective manner, and one that ultimately strips away the loyalties, history and subjective thoughts. I trust that he’ll put a team out there that’s assembled to win, as that is his main goal.