Oh … to be Brian Cashman. It can’t be the most wonderful time of the year to be the Yankees general manager. Fans are fed up with the mediocrity that was showcased throughout the 2021 season and the Steinbrenner family can’t be thrilled with the recent results on the field. When have the Yankees fielded a team that couldn’t hit? You would have to point to the Stump Merrill years or the Horace Clarke era for such an example.

Going into last night’s American League Wild Card playoff game versus the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees were relying on their ace, Gerrit Cole, and defense to move on. The defense was fine, but Gerrit Cole resembled former Yankees pitcher Kenny Rogers and got lit up by Boston’s bats. Cole pitched into the third inning when Aaron Boone had no choice but to end the bleeding. Cole surrendered 3 earned runs, 2 home runs, 4 hits, walked 2, struck out 2, and managed to record 6 outs. Game over. Season over. Because the Bronx Bombers are only the Bronx Bombers when Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton has a bat in their hands.

With Boston ace Nate Eovaldi dealing – something he had done almost all season versus the Yankees with the exception of his September 24th start, the Yankees were done. There was no way this offensively-challenged team was going to claw their way back into this one. How bad was it? The last six spots in the Yankees batting order went 1-20, struck out 11 times, did not register a walk, and the lone hit was an infield single.

Now, if I were Brian Cashman, here are my offseason priorities:

1. Add Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop and free agent-to-be, Corey Seager. Seager is 27 and has demonstrated that he can thrive in a big market.
2. Trade Aroldis Chapman. Chapman’s stock is down but getting out from under his contact would be huge and help the Yankees stay under the dreaded luxury tax threshold. The Yankees closer has one year remaining on his contract at $16 million. Can you say San Diego Padres?
3. The Yankees infield would be: D.J. LeMahieu at 1B, Gleyber Torres at 2B, Gio Urshela at 3B, and Corey Seager at SS. Anthony Rizzo is allowed to leave via free agency.
4. Look to add either A’s center fielder Starling Marte or Los Angeles Dodgers all-purpose utility player extraordinaire Chris Taylor. Taylor is Tyler Wade on steroids.
5. Add a starter. That could be anyone from Zack Greinke to Marcus Stroman or old man Rich Hill. The Yankees need to add a reliable starter and not take another flyer on a rehabbing pitcher like Corey Kluber. If Luis Severino can stay healthy, that would be a huge boost.
6. Make a decision on Gary Sanchez. Can you withstand his mental lapses, subpar defense, and diminishing offense? That Sanchez started on the bench against the Red Sox answers those questions.
7. Bid farewell to one of my all-time favorite Yankees, Brett Gardner. Adam Duvall could be a nice replacement.
8. Sayonara to Clint Frazier.
9. Au revoir to Luke Voit.
10. Bring back Aaron Boone.

Cash & The Cheater