Yankees won’t bring back Brian Sabean, Omar Minaya

On a conference call, Cashman told reporters that he and the Yankees had agreed on a new deal, but they are “just hammering out the final details.” Despite the Yankees being a perennial contender and advancing to the AL Divisional Series again this season, the fanbase has grown a little frustrated by the lack of World Series titles this century. Cashman has held the job since 1998 and has led the Yankees to 29 consecutive winning seasons, six pennants, and four World Series, but the Yankees have not won a title in 17 years and have only one championship in the last 26 seasons. For a franchise that is used to being at the top of the sport, the recent performance allowed some fans to believe the Yankees wouldn’t simply run it back again in 2027. That appears to be exactly what they’re doing.

Sabean was the architect of three World Series championship teams for the Giants last decade and spent nearly two decades as general manager in San Francisco. He spent eight years with the Yankees earlier in his career and held several positions, including director of scouting (1986-90) and vice president of player development/scouting (1990-92). He’ll assist longtime Yankees’ executive Brian Cashman in all phases of baseball operations moving forward.

Cashman will remain at the helm of the Yankees’ front office through the 2026 season. The expectation for the last few months was that the long-time executive and New York’s ownership would ultimately come to an agreement on a new contract and the deal is finally done. Cashman has been the Yankees’ primary baseball decision-maker since 1998. He led the Yankees to a 99-win regular season and an ALCS appearance last year.

Cashman is working without a contract and that he’s speaking for the team at their end-of-season wrap-up media session on Friday would indicate that a new deal is mostly a formality. The longtime GM said that Hal Steinbrenner “wants me back” and “I’d like to stay,” so expect something to get done soon, especially with so many important decisions facing the Yankees this winter. Cashman has been in his role as Yankees general manager since 1998.

Cashman’s contract expired earlier this week at the conclusion of New York’s playoff run. All signs point to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and Cashman, who has been at the helm of the Yankees’ front office since 1998, working out a new deal in the near future. However, Martino notes that the two sides haven’t actually begun negotiations yet. Barring an unexpected development, manager Aaron Boone is also expected to return after guiding the Yankees to a 99-win regular season, an AL East title and an ALCS appearance.

Bloom says that the new deal for Cashman -- whose contract expires after the season -- won’t be announced until the offseason, but it’s fully expected to happen. Cashman has been with the Yankees since 1998 and has experienced plenty of success, so it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in charge of baseball operations. The Yanks have struggled since the All-Star break but retain a 7.5-game lead in the American League East.

Adams is expected on Thursday to reverse the private-sector mandate specifically for performers and athletes in city venues, including Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. These impending changes will allow unvaccinated Yankees and Mets players not to miss any home games during the upcoming regular season. Obviously, no official announcement has been made yet, but fantasy managers shouldn’t worry about the possibility of players missing home games next month.

Woah. A baseball-themed Woj bomb. Based on the reporting, it appears that changes are coming to the city’s COVID-19 rules to allow unvaccinated Yankees and Mets players not to miss any home games during the upcoming regular season. Nothing has been finalized yet, but this latest updates seem extremely encouraging.

Balkovec has already shattered ceilings in the sport, becoming the first woman to be a full-time strength and conditioning coach, as well as the first woman to be a full-time hitting coach in professional baseball. She has worked in the Yankees organization since 2019 when she was hired as a minor league hitting coach. The 34-year-old spent the 2021 season as the hitting coach for the Yankees’ Rookie League affiliate in the Florida Complex League.

Cashman also said that there are three tests that are pending. He also told reporters that all positive or potentially positive tests involved are from players, and that most -- but not all -- of the players who have tested positive have been vaccinated. There is good news in that all of the players are “doing ok” according to Cashman. Because of the positive tests, Thursday’s game between the Yankees and Red Sox has been postponed. Friday’s game is still up in the air.