Yankees owner: 'I am absolutely comfortable' with Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi

As the New York Yankees prepare for a season that will likely hold no shortage of storylines, the jobs of general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi appear secure.

"We are at the beginning of the season, no one is on a hot seat right now," owner Hal Steinbrenner told Joel Sherman of the New York Post. "I am absolutely comfortable with (general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi).

"Nobody wants to hear me whine about, but what Girardi dealt with the last two years with injuries. I think he has done a good job, given two abnormal years (for injuries) that I hope doesn't happen again. As far as Cashman, I think he made some great trades (last) July. That certainly went into my thinking (in re-signing the GM this past offseason). But more importantly he is a smart guy. I like the people he has under him."

Cashman has held his position since 1998 after taking over for Bob Watson, and agreed to a three-year extension in October.  

Girardi owns a 648-486 (.571) record in seven seasons in the Bronx and won a World Series in 2009. The Yankees, however, have failed to reach the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1993-94.