Yankees get punched in the mouth and Cashman needs to respond

MLB: Atlanta Braves at New York Yankees
Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday’s game against the Mets should have been a wake-up call for the Yankees, a team with World Series aspirations, yet they were swept in the Subway Series this year. Despite the Mets heating up over the past few weeks, the Yankees, with their talent, should have been competitive but instead dropped the final game of the series 12–3.

The Yankees Need to Show Signs of Life

The Mets have dominated their crosstown rival this season, leaving the Yankees to ponder their future as the trade deadline looms in four days.

Urgent Needs and Cashman’s Challenge

General Manager Brian Cashman faces the daunting task of addressing multiple weaknesses. The team needs more support at third base, a starting pitcher could be useful, and bolstering the bullpen is essential. Adding above-average pieces across the board is unrealistic, so Cashman will need to address the roster’s vulnerabilities creatively.

MLB: Washington Nationals at New York Yankees
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

A Shift in Strategy Required

It’s time for the cliché Aaron Boone quotes after every loss to cease, signaling a need for more wins. Currently, the Yankees are inadvertently helped by the Baltimore Orioles, who have lost three straight games and are struggling post-All-Star break.

“We gotta play better, okay? We have it right in front of us. We’re a really good team that has played s–tty of late. We need to be better.”

The Yankees sit 1.5 games back in the American League East, so their destiny is still within their control. However, even a short winning streak by Baltimore could jeopardize the Yankees’ position—especially as the Boston Red Sox, who sit six games back, recently suffered a 20–7 loss to the struggling Colorado Rockies. This context shows that the Yankees must navigate a grueling schedule and find ways to secure wins.

Upcoming Series and Potential Changes

On Thursday, the Yankees will rest before traveling to Boston to start a three-game series, followed by a trip to Philadelphia to take on a strong Phillies team.

MLB: New York Mets at New York Yankees
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

By the time the Yankees face Philadelphia, they may have added a few new pieces to the roster, ideally an above-average bat to support the infield. While this would be ideal, the Yankees’ desperation may drive up the price.

Addressing Team Morale and Public Perception

At the very least, the Yankees need to move past Boone’s repetitive post-loss speeches, as they are becoming tedious, and fans are growing frustrated with the team’s lack of accountability and energy.

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