Yankees, Brian Cashman discussing contract extension

Despite their recent run of mediocrity, the New York Yankees are looking to bring back longtime general manager Brian Cashman, as ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the two sides "have begun the process of constructing a new contract." Cashman's current deal is set to expire at the end of October.

The 47-year-old Cashman has served as the Yankees' GM since 1998, and has been at the helm for the Yankees' unrivaled run of success over the past two decades. Under Cashman, New York has captured six pennants and four World Series titles (Cashman was an assistant GM during the Yankees' 1996 run). However, the Yankees have fallen on hard times of late, as their playoff misses in 2013 and 2014 represent the first consecutive playoff-less seasons since 1992-93. Prior to 2013, the Yankees had missed the playoffs just once (2008) since 1995.

The Yankees were ravaged by injuries and poor performances this season, leading to just a 84-78 record. In recent years under Cashman, the Yankees have handed out a series of bad long-term contracts, including last offseason's signings of Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran. The club has also watched a franchise cornerstone depart (Robinson Cano), and is relatively weak on the farm in terms of prospects close to helping at the big league level.

Still, Cashman doesn't appear to be leaving New York anytime soon, and a healthy year for the Yankees in 2015 could put them back into playoff contention.