Murphy's Cashman apology stings Yankees fans worse than the insult

Yankees Hot Stove Update: Cody Bellinger switch, Ryan McMahon future, Brian Cashman

As the saying goes, “When Jack Curry speaks, Yankees fans listen.”

That was the case on Wednesday night during an episode of “Yankees Hot Stove” on the YES Network.

Curry had some offseason updates for fans as the Bombers navigate these weeks prior to the inevitable lockout.

Where to start?

We can get the general news out of the way.

Curry said he expects the Yankees to be “active on all fronts” leading up to Dec. 1.

That sounds like a “no duh” situation.

But if you remember the month prior to the 2021 lockout, the Yankees did nothing meaningful.

Brian Cashman acquired TJ Rumfield from the Phillies and traded Tyler Wade to the Angels.

Then he stood there while a number of contenders ate the Yankees’ lunch.

Curry relaying this news is certainly more encouraging than silence.

But fans will believe it when they see it.

The Yankees famously do not move fast at the start of the offseason.

They do not get aggressive when they are under the gun with time.

CODY BELLINGER COULD MOVE TO CENTER FIELD FOR YANKEES IN 2027

And now for the frustrating developments.

Curry said it is believed Gold Glove left fielder Cody Bellinger could move to center field next year.

That suggests a number of things.

The first is that the Yankees do not believe in Spencer Jones as a legitimate CF option.

The second is that they might be serious about pursuing a corner outfielder who can help upgrade the offense.

That could be Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki or Ian Happ.

Here is the rebuttal from many fans.

Bellinger is the best defensive left fielder in the game.

Keep him there or else you lose tremendous value.

None of Arozarena, Suzuki or Happ would move the needle much for New York.

Arozarena and Suzuki will cost significant money and a draft pick since the qualifying offer is attached to them.

Once again, the Yankees roster remains a mess.

They are constantly moving players around when it feels like there is little need to do so.

YANKEES RUMORS SUGGEST RYAN MCMAHON COULD BE ON THE WAY OUT THIS OFFSEASON

Perhaps the funniest update of all from Curry involved Ryan McMahon.

The veteran third baseman has been terrible during his 1.5 years in New York.

He has registered a 1.1 WAR across 178 games.

His line is .211/.289/.349 with declining defense.

Curry said the Yankees organization “has a great deal of respect for McMahon, but see third base as an area of need.”

This alludes to the reality that the Yankees favor feelings and status over correct decision-making.

There is no need to preface further.

PAT MURPHY’S APOLOGY TO BRIAN CASHMAN

Now for the story that has Yankees fans more bothered than the original insult.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy was caught on a hot mic after winning the World Series.

He was celebrating with former Yankee Jake Bauers, who is a soon-to-be free agent.

Murphy told Bauers to remember how the Yankees played for themselves.

According to the New York Post, Murphy said, “You rich so and so, you’re going to leave us.”

Bauers laughed.

Murphy added, “We’re not going to be able to pay you. You’re going to leave us and you’re going to forget all about how we did things.”

The manager later clarified that this was just a running gag between him and Bauers.

Bauers played for New York in 2023.

Murphy admitted he was referring to teams with high-paid long-contract players, not the 2026 Yankees specifically.

It is easy to see why the clip caused a stir.

The Yankees have a long history of being labeled as a team that prioritizes money over team chemistry.

Murphy’s words tapped into that old narrative, even if he did not intend to start a fire.

The fact that he was not aware he was being recorded makes the situation even more awkward.

Murphy told the New York Post that he regrets saying it, but that it was just humor behind the scenes.

MURPHY CALLED CASHMAN RIGHT AWAY

Murphy made his move before the storm cleared.

He picked up the phone and dialed Brian Cashman the moment he learned his comments had leaked to the public.

According to the New York Post, Murphy reached out right away to explain that his words were never meant to attack the current Yankees squad.

Murphy said, “I called Brian Cashman right away when I heard it got out.”

He had a good conversation with the Yankees general manager.

The Yankees organization has often dismissed outside noise.

But a direct call from a World Series winning manager is rare.

This season saw the Yankees secure 93 victories and make the postseason for the ninth time in a 10-year span.

They are a team that faces harsh scrutiny every time they fall short of a title.

Murphy’s comments, though unintended, added fuel to the fire.

But his quick action to call Cashman shows he respects the game and the people who play it.

WHY FANS ARE MORE BOTHERED BY THE APOLOGY THAN THE INSULT

Many Yankees fans are frustrated with Murphy’s apology.

The sentiment from the Bleeding Yankee Blue report captures this anger.

The writer said, “I’m getting really tired of this. I’m tired of people speaking their minds, telling the truth as they see it, and then suddenly backpedaling because somebody got offended.”

The report called out Murphy directly.

“Have the stones to stand behind your words. Own them. Mean them. Pat Murphy, I’m talking to you.”

The writer noted that Murphy called the Yankees out for playing for themselves instead of playing for each other.

And the writer’s conclusion was blunt.

“HE WAS RIGHT.”

But now Murphy is apologizing.

He called Brian Cashman.

He explained himself.

He clarified that he was not talking about the 2026 Yankees.

He regrets what he said.

The writer asked, “Seriously, Pat? Why?”

Murphy just won a World Series with a team that understands what winning baseball looks like.

He watched his players sacrifice, execute, compete and play for one another.

Meanwhile, the Yankees were sitting home again.

They were wondering why their expensive collection of talent could not get the job done.

And somehow, Murphy is the one apologizing.

The writer said, “Give me a break.”

Here is what bothers fans most.

Murphy did not say anything that millions of frustrated Yankee fans have not been screaming for years.

This organization has become obsessed with individual statistics, home runs, contracts and analytics.

It has seemingly forgotten that baseball is a team sport.

The fundamentals stink.

The accountability is nonexistent.