Steinbrenner, Cashman working on new deal

"We know what you expect of us, and we expect the same thing of ourselves, and we certainly did what we thought we could do in the offseason to field a pretty good team come April 1, but it didn't work out."

Despite a major spending spree that included the additions of Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees finished with 84 victories, down from last season's total of 85. The Yankees had not missed the playoffs in consecutive years during non-strike seasons since 1992-93.

"I would hold me responsible before anybody else," Steinbrenner said. "That's the way it is. I approved every one of these signings. But I think they were good signings, and I think they'll turn out to be good signings."

Steinbrenner acknowledged that underperformance from the middle of the batting order was a prominent issue for the '14 squad, and said that he believes McCann and Beltran will have better performances in 2015, also mentioning first baseman Mark Teixeira in that group.

Steinbrenner said that the team and Cashman are in discussions about a new deal, and it appears that Cashman is on track to return to the GM position he has held since replacing Bob Watson in February 1998. Cashman's three-year, $9 million contract expires on Oct. 31.

"Brian and I are talking," Steinbrenner said. "We look at the overall responsibilities of a general manager, and especially being one in New York. Brian, I believe, is a good one. I always have believed that. He does a good job.

"Every general manager has signings. Some work out better than others, but everything he did in July, for the most part -- bringing in [Chase] Headley, bringing in [Brandon] McCarthy, [Martin] Prado -- I think they all helped the team stay in it."

Asked specifically about the job security of hitting coach Kevin Long, Steinbrenner said that no decisions have been made regarding manager Joe Girardi's coaching staff.

"Rest assured, we're going to get to the bottom of it," Steinbrenner said. "And if I do deem that somebody is liable, or if I do deem that somebody is responsible, that things could have been better, I will act."

Steinbrenner agreed that he handles such situations more methodically than his late father, George, was known to do.

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Steinbrenner, Cashman working on new deal