Around the AL: GM Cashman signs extension

If you’re expecting heads to roll after the New York Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since the strike-shortened 1994 season, just know that it’s safe for general manager Brian Cashman to go out and buy a hat.

Cashman finalized a contract extension on Tuesday to remain with the organization through 2011. Somewhere in the fine print, it also mentioned that he’d continue to work for Hank Steinbrenner. We’ll assume that Cashman read the contract carefully.

“I know I've said it before, but it's an incredible opportunity and honor to hold the title of general manager for the New York Yankees,” Cashman, 41, told reporters. “With it comes a great responsibility to ownership, the people who wear the uniform and our fan base. I've got a job to finish here. That's the bottom line.”

Cashman has been the GM since February 1998. He declined to negotiate a contract during the season, which ended with the Yankees in second place in the AL East and out of the wild card race.

“Before we could move forward as an organization this offseason, we needed to come to a resolution on the person who would hold the important position of general manager and allow us to make another run at a 27th world championship,” co-chairmen Hal and Hank Steinbrenner said in a joint statement released through the team.

“We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years.”

Can you see me now?

Oakland’s Jack Cust set the American League record for strikeouts with 197. And he can see what’s causing the problem.

He needs to see better.

Cust wants to improve his vision, which should allow him to make better contact at the plate. Rather than purchase glasses, he’ll add eye exercises to his winter routine.

“I'll dedicate part of my offseason to training my eyes,” said Cust, who hit .231 with 33 homers and 77 RBIs. “You train your body and everything else, but you really don't train your eyes. Hopefully, this will help. I feel I swing and miss pitches I should be hitting. My eyes aren't telling my brain the right location to go to.

Cust will visit Dr. Bill Harrison, an optometrist who has extensive experience studying the eye sight of major league players – including current Athletics manager Bob Geren.

“I want to get better. If I could reduce strikeouts, it'll help,” Cust said. “I've always said I can put the first ball in play. Grounding out on a borderline pitch, I think I can do that, but I think my other numbers will suffer a lot.”

Unwanted milestone

The Seattle Mariners didn’t accomplish much this season, but at least they made history.

It wasn’t good history, but they made it nonetheless.

The Mariners became the first team ever to lose 100 games with a $100 million payroll. And they did it in typically ugly fashion, losing all 11 games of a road trip through Anaheim, Kansas City and Oakland, and the first game at home against the Angels.

This marks the fourth time in franchise history that the Mariners have lost 100 games, most recently doing it in 1983.

Some quick hits

• Jim Thome, whose seventh-inning home run gave the Chicago White Sox a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins in their one-game playoff, reached the 1,100 mark in total plate appearances in 2007-08, guaranteeing his $13 million option for next season. He needed 554 plate appearances in 2008 to reach that total.

• Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez’s final start resulted in his 11th no-decision, leaving him with a 9-11 record. That means the Mariners won’t have a 10-game winner for just the third time in franchise history.

• The Texas Rangers finished with an average home attendance of 24,323, their lowest since 1988 and the biggest drop (5,473) in the majors from 2007.

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