Hank plans to talk deal with Cashman

Hank Steinbrenner said today the he plans to talk to Brian Cashman about a new contract during the season.

From the AP via ESPN.com:

"I want to concentrate on the season, and he does, too," Hank Steinbrenner said Monday. "But during the course of the season, we will talk. It will just happen. We'll be sitting together at the game, and we'll start talking about it. It's just that simple."

Cashman joined the Yankees as a 19-year-old intern in June 1986. He succeeded Bob Watson as general manager after the 1997 season.

"I've known Cash for a long time," Steinbrenner said. "He's been with our family for a long, long time. I think the big thing is with Brian is the organization he put in place. You know, it's not based on just one decision as far as do a trade or don't do a trade, or sign a free agent or don't."

Cashman has done a great job the last few seasons in rebuilding the farm system and straying away from throwing money at free agents. He has had a few blunders (Carl Pavano), but there were a lot of suitors for him anyway, so it's hard to blame Cashman on that.

Earlier this off-season, it seemed as if there was a power struggle between Steinbrenner and Cashman, but it looks like that has cooled since. It is important for Cashman to return to balance out Steinbrenner's irrational thoughts.