On October 21 the Yankees announced they would retain manager Aaron Boone and expected GM Brian Cashman, in the job since 1998, to return. A day later Cashman agreed to a new deal bringing him back for a 30th season. Hal Steinbrenner defended the roster as world championship caliber and said the players did not live up to their end. The discussion turns on whether the front office or the roster is the problem, and whether a top-five payroll should expect more than one playoff miss in 15 years.