Almost a year ago I wrote a story on this site called “The Definition of Insanity,” as the Yankees were in the middle of their yearly swoon. It was the second one in a row, and while it didn’t prove to be nearly as destructive as the 2023 version, it was just as frustrating to sit through. I really hoped that this team, this organization, would be beyond this kind of nonsense in 2025. But of course, surprise surprise, they’re not.

The Yankees are 1-6 in their last seven games, picking up a win Sunday against the Mets by the skin of their teeth. Beyond just 1-6 in the last seven they have for the third year in a row lost 16 out of 22 games and show next to no signs of stopping it. It is not an overreaction to get on this group. They can tell you all they want that teams “go through this,” and they’ll “come out of it.” Do not let them normalize this play, as any truly good team does not lose 16 out of 22 games three years in a row! All teams go through losing streaks and slumps, but these are NOT either one of these. These larger bodies of work that are ultimately indicative of the arrogant, ignorant and complacent organization they are.

Their arrogance is unending, as their know it all approach routinely puts them in this place. They are never wrong about their prospects, never wrong about their roster players and never wrong about who is in charge. Hence, why nothing ever changes. And don’t worry, their network and its broadcast crews will spend their time telling other teams that they are wrong and the Yankees are right. Case in point, play by play man Michael Kay’s week long feud with the Blue Jays crew, who rightfully went back at him for not calling the Blue Jays a first place team as they wiped the floor with the Yanks to take first place. Broadcaster drama on top of on field issues…the hallmarks of a healthy franchise.

The ignorance I mention is best exemplified in their unwillingness to bend or adapt to world in front of them, let alone around them. They remain ignorant to their own problems, and don’t say “that’s not true,” as if that were the case things would change. They’ve been a poor “execution” team for years, but why change that, it only cost them a World Series last year. Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, as solid as they are, aren’t enough to counter act the lack of fundamentals possessed by Jasson Dominguez, Anthony Volpe, and many others. This group had a low baseball IQ, as they give away outs, bases and runs routinely. Ignorance to your own flaws combined with blatant and naked hubris really is a bold strategy for a team claiming to “want to win the World Series.” Heck they’re even ignorant to their own roster issues, as they’ll keep jamming square pegs into round holes cause they “like their guys.”

And rounding our trio of baseball sins is complacency, something that has run rampant since two things happened. Not to be that fan that harps on it, and I readily admit it wasn’t always a good thing, but since George Steinbrenner died in 2010 this franchise has had almost 0 urgency. There are no consequences for failure, no fear of not getting it done, nothing to drive more success. Just a comfortability with coming close doing it their way. Of course the day to day overseer of “the Yankee way” is the fool who stands on the top step of the dugout and his captain.

Yes that’s right, I’m referring to Aaron Judge, but let me do the manager first. Aaron Boone has been here since 2018. In that span his team has gone through a stretch of the season just like this in all but really two seasons. 2019 they essentially dominated from start to finish, and 2020 was so bizarre we’ll throw that out. Even squads that racked up wins in 2018 and 2022 and won the pennant in 2024, had a fall off where their true colors showed. Mental errors and bad fundamental baseball are indicative of the culture you breed in your clubhouse. The manager who was hired to be “the nice guy” can’t possibly ask more of his guys, after all, it got his predecessor fired.

Of course that can work if his player leaders on the roster play bad cop for him. Joe Torre was as nice and easy going as they come, but he could be because Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, Cone, O’Neill, Sabathia and so on led from the front over the years. They all did it in their own styles, but could fall back on one another to do and say the right thing when it mattered. It feels like Aaron Judge has worked hard to approach things the same way Derek Jeter used to, by being levelheaded with the media. And while we’re not behind closed doors, there’s no indication Judge is any different in the clubhouse.

He’s an all world player, I respect the hell out of him and love watching him, but as Joel Sherman talked about the “Pinstripe Post” podcast, it is time for someone to drop the hammer and stop encouraging guys. You don’t need to embarrass people but some honest and constructive criticism is worth trying as opposed to the approach we have seen forever. If you don’t want to bother trying to address it, then hey go ahead knock yourselves out, it’s only the best position player career we have seen this millennium.

Highlight of the Week

There wasn’t going to be a highlight of the week until Sunday when the Yankees two best fundamental players, Bellinger and Goldschmidt, combined to make one of the plays of the year. It saved the game and avoided a sweep at the hands of the Mets.

What’s Next

Today the Yankees start their final week of games before the All Star Break, a set that will see them host the Mariners and Cubs at the Stadium. Seattle is playing well of late and in the hunt for a Wild Card place while being led by slugger Cal Raleigh. Meanwhile Chicago will present an even stiffer challenge over the weekend, a they are really taking off atop the NL Central led by stars Pete Crow Armstrong and Kyle Tucker.

The Yankees will face these two clubs without the services of Clarke Schmidt, who will be getting Tommy John surgery, ending 2025 season and his 2026 campaign as well. It’s a tough personal blow to Schmidt, who really seemed to be coming into his own, and just as tough the Yanks as their rotation is getting thin. Will Warren and Marcus Stroman will sandwich the major league debut of rookie Cam Schlittler this week as the Yanks scramble to fill innings until Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough return.

These issues in the rotation really affect the trade deadline plans as well, as the Yankees now likely have to add at least one starter, maybe two. Those pickups go on top of needing to find an answer at third base to improve the infield and at least two arms in the bullpen. The pen has been a strength for the Yanks for years, but this current group looks exhausted and has been ineffective of late. It really feels like there are too many holes to fill for Cashman and his front office but they’re going try so they can close the gap on the Jays and not give up any more ground in the AL.

Stay tuned for continuing New York baseball coverage as well a story on new Knicks coach Mike Brown’s introductory presser Tuesday! Mike and Nick will also be back with a new episode of their College Football pod, The Booster Club, as they begin their previews of the season ahead! On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.