About the Postseason: Another Rung on the Ladder

About the Postseason: Another Rung on the Ladder

By Tim Kabel

October 14, 2024

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The Yankees open the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians tonight at Yankee Stadium.

Carlos Rodon will be pitching for the Yankees. At the point of the writing of this article, the Guardians have not announced their starting pitcher.

The Yankees have made the final four. They are one step away from the World Series. The question that most Yankees fans would ask is: And?

The Yankees have made it to the ALCS before under Aaron Boone. They have never made it past the ALCS under Aaron Boone. The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009. For some teams, that would not be a big deal. The Yankees are not some teams. The Yankees are looking for their 28th World Championship and that quest has been unachieved for 15 years. That is an eternity for the Yankees and their fans.

For this organization and this particular team, there is no such thing as “good enough." In other words, making it to the ALCS but losing to the Cleveland Guardians is not good enough. Making it to the World Series and losing might be close but, it is not good enough. For this season to be considered a success, the Yankees must win the whole ball of wax. ( By the way, the expression “the whole ball of wax” seems to have originated in the late 1800s and is thought to be a variation of “the whole bailiwick”, which means the whole territory. Just in case anyone ever asks you.)

For this season to be a success for the 2024 New York Yankees, they will need to win the World Series. If they were to lose the World Series in the seventh game on a questionable call or something like that, then perhaps ownership and the fan base would be satiated but anything less than that will result in grumbling. If the Yankees do not win the proverbial whole ball of wax, there will be dissatisfaction. If particular players do not come through or make costly errors, they will be they will feel the heat. But they will not bear the brunt of the wrath of the Yankees’ fans and ownership.

There is a tremendous amount of pressure on Aaron Boone. His contract will end at the conclusion of this season but, there is a team option for another year. I believe that if they do not win the World Series and especially if they do not make it to the World Series, that option will not be exercised. Boone’s career as the Yankees manager hangs in the balance of the next two series. The first will be the ALCS. As has been noted, in order to be the World Champions this season, the Yankees need to accumulate 11 post season wins. So far, they have 3. There is no way they could have had they could have more than three at this point. So far, there are no complaints. They need to earn four more victories against the Guardians. Will they do it?

The Yankees are favored to beat the Guardians. Realistically, they should be able to do so. Then again, Mike Tyson should have been able to beat Buster Douglas. He didn't. If the Yankees don't win the World Series this season, I firmly believe that some changes will be made. Based on the acquisition of Juan Soto, particularly if he re-signs with the Yankees, and the trade for Jazz Chisholm, Jr., I believe Brian Cashman will be safe from any potential shake up. In addition, the Yankees have developed some young talent and with Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and Jasson Dominguez on Cashman’s watch.They could be key components of the lineup for years to come. Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt were developed through the farm system as well.

Aaron Boone made a few questionable decisions in the ALDS, but the Yankees survived and advanced. Making questionable and dubious decisions is what Boone does. That will not change. As I have long advocated, it is an issue of Boone-proofing. The Yankees need to insulate and protect themselves from any blunders Boone might make. Is this roster talented enough to survive any such mistakes?  I’m not sure.

One thing is fairly certain, Boone has always had a predilection toward playing veterans over young players. There have been occasional exceptions to this rule. I don't believe that Boone will turn catching responsibilities back to Jose Trevino. For anyone advocating this, despite Wells’ struggles recently, it should be noted that Trevino had only four hits in August and September combined. I suspect that Jasson Dominguez will not start in the ALCS unless Verdugo struggles so much that the outcry for Dominguez to play becomes overwhelming. It would be comparable to 2022 when Boone was resistant to benching Isiah Kiner-Falefa but finally gave in. Honestly, I would not be shocked if Dominguez is not even on the ALCS roster. I'm also suspecting that Jon Berti will now play first base against both right-handed and left-handed pitching, confining Oswaldo Cabrera to the bench. Will those moves work? If they don't, will Boone make changes? Will he make odd pitching decisions? Of course he will. When Luke Weaver earned the five out save in the ALDS, Tommy Kahnle certainly could have finished out the inning. Those types of moves have the potential to blow up in a manager's face. They have done so for Boone in the past.

This could be a wonderful series for the Yankees and a major triumph. If it is not, I suspect that it will be the last series Aaron Boone manages for the Yankees. Brian Cashman did not exactly give him a vote of confidence the other day and I think that was quite telling. As Boone likes to say, it is all right there in front of the Yankees and in front of him. They need to take it and he needs to enable them to do so. 

I would like to take a moment to wish my daughter Michelle a Happy 27th Birthday!!