The New York Yankees are facing one of their worst seasons in history, as they have lost nine consecutive games and are in last place in the American League East. The team’s general manager, Brian Cashman, did not mince words when he spoke to the media on Wednesday, calling the season “a disaster” and vowing to find out the root cause of the problem.
A Shocking Collapse
The Yankees entered the 2023 season with high expectations, after winning 99 games and the division title in 2022. They had a star-studded lineup, featuring Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, and Gleyber Torres, and a solid pitching staff, led by Gerrit Cole and Luis Severino. However, things quickly went south for the Bronx Bombers, as they struggled with injuries, inconsistency, and poor performance.
The Yankees have gone from being contenders to being irrelevant in a matter of weeks. As of August 24, they are 60-65, 17 games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles, and 10 games out of the third wild card spot. They have a negative run differential of -28, and rank near the bottom of the league in several offensive and defensive categories. They have not won a game since August 11, and are on the verge of losing 10 in a row for the first time since 1913.
“It’s been a disaster, this season,” Cashman said. “It’s definitely a shock. Certainly, I don’t think anybody on our side of the fence, from our player group, from our coaches, our manager, or even outside the organization, would’ve predicted this.”
A Lack of Leadership
One of the main criticisms that Cashman faced was his lack of action at the trade deadline, when he failed to make any significant moves to improve the team. While other teams in the division, such as the Orioles, the Blue Jays, and the Red Sox, made aggressive moves to bolster their rosters, Cashman stood pat, citing a lack of available options and a desire to stay under the luxury tax threshold.
Many fans and analysts questioned Cashman’s decision-making, especially after seeing some of the players he passed on thrive with their new teams. For example, Max Scherzer, who was traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers, has gone 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in five starts with Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Anthony Rizzo, who was traded from the Cubs to the Red Sox, has hit .333 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 19 games with Boston.
Cashman defended his approach at the deadline, saying that he did not want to mortgage the future for a short-term fix. He also said that he believed in the talent and potential of his current players, and hoped that they would turn things around.
“I’m not going to sell off pieces that I think are going to help us in the long term for something that might be a Band-Aid,” Cashman said. “I’m not going to give up on this group. I still think they have what it takes to compete at a high level.”
A Need for Change
Despite his optimism, Cashman acknowledged that something needs to change for the Yankees to salvage their season and avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. He said that he would conduct a thorough evaluation of every aspect of the organization, from the players to the coaches to the front office.
He also hinted that some changes could be coming soon, as he said that he would not wait until the end of the season to make adjustments if necessary. He did not specify what kind of changes he had in mind, but he did not rule out anything either.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to fix this,” Cashman said. “We’re not going to sit back and watch this continue. We’re going to be proactive and aggressive in finding solutions.”
One of the possible changes that many fans and media members have speculated about is the fate of manager Aaron Boone, who is in his fourth season at the helm. Boone has been criticized for his handling of the pitching staff, his lineup construction, and his lack of fire and urgency. Some have suggested that Boone has lost the respect and trust of his players, and that he is not fit to lead a team with such high standards.
Cashman did not directly address Boone’s status, but he did express his support for him and his coaching staff. He said that he does not blame them for the team’s woes, and that he thinks they are doing their best under difficult circumstances.
“I have full confidence in Aaron Boone and his staff,” Cashman said. “They are working hard and trying to get the most out of this group. They are not the problem. The problem is the performance on the field.”
A Hope for Redemption
Despite the bleak outlook, Cashman said that he has not given up on the season, and that he still hopes that the Yankees can make a miraculous comeback and sneak into the postseason. He said that he has seen teams overcome bigger deficits and longer odds in the past, and that he believes that the Yankees have the talent and the character to do the same.
He also said that he hopes that the fans will stick with the team, and that they will appreciate the effort and the passion that the players are showing. He said that he understands the frustration and the disappointment that the fans are feeling, but he also asked for their patience and their support.
“We’re not done yet,” Cashman said. “We still have 37 games left, and anything can happen in this game. We’re not going to quit. We’re going to fight until the end. We owe it to ourselves, to our fans, and to our history.”
He added: “We’re the New York Yankees. We’re not used to being in this position. We’re used to being on top. We’re going to do everything we can to get back there.”