Brian Cashman clears air with Giancarlo Stanton after injury comments

All seems good between Brian Cashman and Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, at least that’s what the long-time Yankee front office exec says.

Cashman met with the media Thursday night during his annual appearance at the Covenant House Sleep Out to raise awareness for homelessness. During that time he was asked about the comments he made regarding Stanton’s injury history during the GM meetings that resurfaced earlier this week. 

Those comments drew the attention of not just the media but of agent Joel Wolfe, who represents Stanton as well as Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

“I feel like things got spun out of control with the coverage a week later,” Cashman said. “Obviously, I had a conversation with Joel Wolfe who I’ve known a long time and with our player, Giancarlo Stanton. And I feel like everything is in a good spot.”

When he was asked if he would change what he said during the GM meetings, Cashman stood by his comments but made sure that he let Stanton and his representatives know that he and the Yankees value him.

“I was surprised by how it got twisted and turned and played out. I said what I said, so that’s why I had those conversations,” he said. “I value Giancarlo Stanton as a player, without a doubt he’s one of the few drivers when we do win. He’s one of the few players you bring to New York that doesn’t back down… handled himself in a professional manner through thick and thin. He’s one of the few players when money is on the line, you look at his postseason numbers it’s pretty impressive.

“He’s a gifted, talented player and a feared hitter. You’d love to play him at all times. I made the phone calls. I was caught off guard about a week later when everything became something. My comments weren’t meant to poke anything at anybody. I was just answering a question posed to me and I answered it. Regardless, I have the utmost respect for both Joel and more importantly our player, Giancarlo Stanton.”

Cashman was asked directly if he was concerned that his comments would affect the Yankees' ability to negotiate with any of Wolfe's clients, including Yamamoto, the GM said "I do not."

Stanton missed 61 games in 2023 due to a hamstring strain in what turned out to be the worst statistical year in the slugger’s career. The 34-year-old slashed just .191/.275/.420 with 24 homers and 13 doubles in 101 games.

He and the Yankees will look to turn things around in 2024 after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.