The Yankees look like they're taking Benadryl before these last few games. They're fried.
I'm not surprised. Judge carried them from like July onwards. Now that he's slumping a bit, they can't do a damn thing. And the Yankees are only built to win one way - power. If they can't hit dingers, they won't win. It's one of the reasons I'm so upset with Cashman. He tried to address it (getting Bader, bringing up Peraza and Cabrera), and D.J.'s injury isn't his fault. BUT, this should have been addressed a couple seasons ago. He stuck with Sanchez for how many years when we all knew he was trash. (Seriously, what did Sanchez have on Cashman, or my seriously, is Cash's ego so big he couldn't admit it sooner and dump the guy?) Mistake after mistake. He never addressed the need for a big time closer. It was only a matter of time that the league realized that Clay Holmes is hittable. He played in the National League, and when you trade between leagues, the players usually do better before the rest of that league catches up. Cash should have traded Chapman three years ago. We all saw a few years back that he was relying on secondary pitches. Should have gotten rid of him while he still had value.
I'm sorry, but while the Yankees had another good season, and I'm thankful for that, I'm old school. You play and expect to be the absolute best every year. Otherwise, what's the point? I've been a diehard since I was old enough to know what baseball was. My first game was 1979 at the old stadium, but the first one I remember was 1984 (saw Dave Winfield having a smoke in one of the side tunnels and he waved at me - ha ha). Like thousands, I've been through it all with this team. But the buck stops with Cashman. A new line of thinking is necessary. He's been the GM since...1998, I believe. Great career, and I am absolutely appreciative of what he's done. But he's clearly built this team to survive on power and has not addressed its bullpen. It's time for new blood.
If the Yankees sign Aaron Judge this offseason and do it "responsibly" with say a six-year, 240 million deal, then you HAVE to find a trade partner for guys like Stanton, Hicks, etc. Reinvest that money into players who can play small ball and the bullpen. Cashman overpaid for Cole, who frankly, IMO, is not worth anywhere near what he provides.
Big moves are necessary. We'll see if the Steinbrenner family ponies up and does it.