Steinbrenner puts onus on GM

NEW YORK -- With his New York Yankees struggling, George Steinbrenner says manager Joe Torre is safe for now, general manager Brian Cashman "is on a big hook," and Jason Giambi "should have kept his mouth shut."

In a rare interview Thursday night from his office in Tampa, the Boss said he was encouraged by the Yankees' performance this week in taking two of three games from the American League East-leading Red Sox.

Cashman, given increased duties when he re-signed after the 2005 season, is apparently being held largely responsible for the team's play.

"He's on a big hook," Steinbrenner said in a telephone interview. "He wanted sole authority. He got it. Now he's got to deliver."

New York lost to the Angels, 10-6, last night and trail the Red Sox by 10 1/2 games.

"The Boss is the Boss," Cashman said. "There are no surprises here. He's said this to me privately."

Cashman agreed with Steinbrenner's assessment.

"I'm on the hook. You can't describe it any better than that," Cashman said. "It's my job to figure it out.

"So far, it's been a long, short season. We've got to fight through this."

The Yankees, with the highest payroll in the majors, haven't reached the World Series since 2003.

"We hope we have turned it around," Steinbrenner said. "We just have to get out there and compete, compete hard, and win."

Torre, Steinbrenner's manager since 1996, appears to be safe for now.

"We are not considering a change," Steinbrenner said.

Torre, like Steinbrenner, is displeased with the Yankees' start.

"When he says something, you understand it's his team and he has the right to be unhappy," Torre said. "He's stirred the pot here for a lot of years, and it's paid off."

Steinbrenner was less generous toward Giambi, whose recent comments to USA Today that he was "wrong for doing that stuff" were interpreted by some as an admission of steroid use.

Giambi was called into the commissioner's office Wednesday to discuss his remarks.

"He should have kept his mouth shut," Steinbrenner said. "The matter is in the hands of the baseball commissioner."

Said Giambi, "He has that right. He's the Boss."