The New York Yankees are the most widely-known team in the world, with their iconic interlocking ‘NY’ logo prominent in countries thousands of miles away. After a disappointing 2022 season, particularly the postseason, even the Yankees’ fame cannot save their fan base’s attendance without major staffing changes.
The Yankees entered the All-Star Break with a 64-28 record and a 13-game American League East lead. Six of their starters were voted All-Stars, and Aaron Judge seemed to be a lock for the next Yankees captain, a position bestowed to those who are Yankees through and through. The title was last in use with Derek Jeter, who held it from 2003-2014. Manager Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman were out of the hot seat, and the Yankees were the World Series favorite. After the All-Star break, the Yankees entered a historically bad August, sitting at 10-18 on the month. Injuries yet again plagued the franchise, with the team losing reliever Michael King for the season with an elbow injury, along with Matt Carpenter to a foot fracture.
Despite all of the star power on the 2022 Yankees, Boone repeatedly made questionable decisions towards the end of the regular season and into the postseason. He regularly relied on the arms of struggling closer Aroldis Chapman, who had a 4.46 ERA and a 4.57 FIP through 36.1 innings pitched in 2022, and Clarke Schmidt, who is home-run prone in late-game and high-stress situations. He also continued to start Josh Donaldson, who went 5-29 this postseason and defended Donaldson’s postseason performance to the media. When the Yankees were down 3-0 to the Houston Astros, Boone chose to use videos of the 2004 Yankees losing games 4-7 to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS to inspire the team. He even went as far as to FaceTime Red Sox legend David Ortiz to talk to the team. This move further solidified Yankee fans’ suspicions: Boone does not think before acting. His tenure as a Yankees manager has been nothing short of embarrassing. He was hired in 2018 to complement the then-young core of the Yankees and has led the Yankees to a 427-281 record. However, Boone has been in charge of five of the Yankee’s most talented teams in years and has failed to advance to a World Series. He has a 14-17 postseason record and has mismanaged the Yankees, particularly the bullpen, in a multitude of instances.
In order to have a chance at winning a World Series, the Yankees need to spend – a lot. Brian Cashman cannot be the man in charge if this is going to happen. He refuses to spend the money necessary to win. In 2018, Bryce Harper was essentially begging to be a Yankee – even going as far as to say he would take a lesser contract. Brian Cashman ignored this. He will not sign notable free agents like Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander, and Edwin Diaz, and he most certainly will not give Aaron Judge the contract that he wants – and deserves. Instead, Cashman opts to make trades for below-average players like Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The New York Yankees cannot win a championship with Cashman at the helm. It is imperative that there are major front-office changes within the Yankees organization. The players – and fans – deserve a championship, and the Yankees have the talent to do so, just not with Boone and Cashman in charge.