About the Off-Season: Approaching the Starting Gate

About the Off-Season: Approaching the Starting Gate

By Tim Kabel

November 2, 2023

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The World Series is over. The Texas Rangers are World Champions. The off-season is officially underway.

On Monday, Aaron Judge appeared at the World Series to accept the Roberto Clemente Award. This is a very prestigious award and is well-deserved. Congratulations to Aaron Judge. Ideally, he will be appearing at the World Series next year as an active player. In order for that to happen, the Yankees need to improve dramatically from the group that failed to make the playoffs this year.

Aaron Judge was interviewed while he was in Arizona, and stated that he was in communication with management, presumably Hal Steinbrenner, and that big changes would be coming to the Yankees. Judge said that the changes “could mean a lot of things: philosophies, players, coaches, everything."

That is a very interesting quote. It tells us a few things. First, that this is coming from a player, in fact, the team’s star player and the face of the franchise, is significant. This was not a statement by Brian Cashman or Aaron Boone. It would seem that Judge will have a role in shaping the team for the future. It also indicates that there could be some changes other than players. It appears that nothing is off the table. Conceivably, the Yankees could replace either Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, or both.

The fact that Aaron Judge would make such a statement tells me that the Yankees are serious about transforming this team into a genuine World Series contender. Aaron Judge does not seem to be the type of man who would make false or empty statements or work with the team to mislead the public. He presents as being genuinely committed to winning. Unless he is being misled by the team, which would be foolish on many levels, it is safe to assume that moves will be made.

Since everyone agrees that this season was a disappointment on almost every level, changes need to occur as soon as possible. That would send a message to the players and the fans. Yankees’ fans are frustrated and need to see something done quickly to give us an indication that the team will be making real improvements. I am talking about more than just the hitting coach.

It is nice for the owner to say that anything is possible and that changes will be made but it needs to become much more than talk. It is the very beginning of November. The World Series is about to end. Now is the time for the Yankees to begin doing something. The off-season horse race is about to begin. The Yankees cannot be lost in the dust. If they are going to make major changes, such as additions or replacements to the general manager, manager or the coaching staff, those need to be done sooner rather than later. I would anticipate and hope that any such moves be made prior to the general managers’ meetings next week.

It is possible that the Yankees have made decisions but have just not announced them because they didn't wish to upstage the World Series. Now that the World Series is officially over, the Yankees need to get to work or announce things that they've already changed or committed to changing.

The Yankees have clearly indicated that they will be making moves regarding players. Once they make any front office, managerial, or coaching changes, they can then proceed to roster decisions.

What the Yankees cannot do and must not do, is continue to sputter along in indecision and confusion. They can't talk about changes all the way until January without doing anything. They have had time to evaluate and discuss and come to some decisions. Now is the time for action.

The off-season horse race has now started. Because the Yankees had such a disappointing season, they need to get off to a fast start and a good start. They need to do things quickly, and well. They can't just make a bunch of rapid-fire moves that accomplish nothing. They have to make quality moves in a timely manner.

The race is about to begin, so take your seats and let's see what happens. Let's hope the Yankees come through this time.

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On Monday, former Yankees’ and Mets’ coach and Mets’ manager, Frank Howard, died at the age of 87. He had two of the best baseball nicknames of all time when he played for the Senators, “The Washington Monument”, and the “Capital Punisher”. Rest in Peace.

On a personal note, Happy 70th Birthday to my brother John. May there always be lots of steam in your sweat lodge.