The New York Yankees, one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, have been on a mission to reclaim their 28th World Series title. However, their efforts to do so have been met with disappointment and criticism. The main target of that criticism? General manager Brian Cashman.
Despite making some exciting moves during the offseason, the Yankees have found themselves struggling to keep their World Series dream alive. Their last title came in 2009, and since then, they have been unable to reach the pinnacle of success. This year was supposed to be different, but once again, the Yankees find themselves facing disappointment and a harsh label.
The term “running it back” has been thrown around a lot this season, and it refers to the Yankees’ tendency to bring back the same players year after year. This has been seen as a strategy that has not worked in recent years, as the team has failed to make it back to the World Series. And yet, Brian Cashman once again opted to stick with the same core group of players, despite their previous lack of success.
However, even with this questionable strategy, Cashman did make some significant moves during the offseason that were meant to strengthen the team. The signing of DJ LeMahieu, one of the top hitters in the league, and the acquisition of pitching ace Gerrit Cole, were supposed to be game-changers. The addition of All-Stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gleyber Torres to the already talented roster seemed like a recipe for success.
But as the season progressed, it became clear that the Yankees were struggling to stay afloat. Injuries, as has often been the case in recent years, played a major role in their struggles. Key players like Judge, Stanton, and Torres were sidelined for significant portions of the season, leaving the team scrambling to find viable replacements. The lack of depth and options on the bench once again highlighted the flaw in Cashman’s “running it back” strategy.
As the regular season came to a close, the Yankees managed to secure a playoff spot, but their performance was far from impressive. They barely managed to hold onto the fifth seed and were forced to play in a best-of-three series against the Cleveland Indians in the wild-card round. In a do-or-die situation, the Yankees came out on top, but it was hardly convincing.
Their next opponent, the Tampa Bay Rays, proved to be a formidable challenge, and the Yankees’ lack of firepower was exposed. The Rays swept the series, and once again, the Yankees fell short of their ultimate goal. And while many factors contributed to their loss, Brian Cashman has been the one facing the most criticism.
The arrival of Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt to the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively, only added to the frustration of Yankees fans. Both players were highly sought after during the offseason, and many believed that the Yankees had a chance to land one of them. However, in the end, both Bellinger and Goldschmidt ended up being major contributors to their respective teams’ success.
As a result, there has been a growing sentiment among Yankees fans that Cashman has failed in his role as a general manager. Despite having one of the highest payrolls in the league, the team has been unable to reach the World Series in over a decade. Cashman’s refusal to make significant changes to the roster has been seen as a major roadblock in the team’s success.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Yankees. They still have a talented core group of players, and with some key adjustments, they could be back in contention next season. The emergence of young stars like Luke Voit and Clint Frazier has added some much-needed depth to the team, and with the return of injured players, the Yankees could once again be a force to be reckoned with.
Brian Cashman may be facing a harsh label for his handling of the Yankees, but it is important to remember that he has been an integral part of the team’s success in the past. He has been with the organization for over two decades and has helped build some of the most successful teams in franchise history. While this season may not have gone as planned, it would be premature to dismiss Cashman’s abilities as a general manager.
As the Yankees’ 28th World Series dream hangs by a thread, it’s essential to remember that
