3 New Year’s resolutions for frustrated Yankees fans entering 2022

The New York Yankees are still woefully incomplete entering 2022, and they will be for several more weeks, at the very least. No moves. No conversations. Nada. So glad none of the “smart” teams did any work whatsoever before the lockout deadline.

What’s that? They definitely did? But we didn’t? Gotcha.

Somehow, some way, we are approaching an actual new year, though the stagnant market makes things feel quite different. With the dawn of 2022 comes an opportunity for reflection and regeneration for a Yankees fan base that probably should’ve gotten a harsh lesson in humility last season.

No, we’re not the fire-breathing Yankees we used to be. No, we’re not in the middle of a wide-open championship window while the rest of the league cowers in the shadows. But still, in a season most fans would classify as THE WORST, considering the preposterous number of blown leads, rivalry games lost, and showcases that turned sour … New York finished 92-70 and won a Wild Card spot.

As New Year’s approaches, it’s probably time to resolve to do some self-reflection and realize that we don’t have it so bad … that we actually could use a mood adjustment when the bullpen implodes in mid-June to cut our lead over the Blue Jays to just four games … that we can’t just demand four signings at the drop of a hat to get us out of our doldrums …

Unfortunately for the rest of the league, though, we’re Yankees fans. We’re always going to be material. We’re always going to complain when things are comparatively not going our way. We’re always going to rub May wins in your face, then be shocked when you get revenge in October. We’ve got some New Year’s resolutions, sure, but they’re all about how to fix this roster rather than how to fix ourselves.

And that’s … OK.

3 New Year’s resolutions for frustrated Yankees fans

3. A Competent MLB Shortstop, for the Love of God

We resolve to love and accept any shortstop, whether they be named Trevor Story or Carlos Correa. Those are … the two names we would accept, thank you very much.

If it becomes necessary to explore the bottom tier, an Isiah Kiner-Falefa trade would be something we could theoretically stomach as long as it came with three or four other prominent upgrades. Other than that, though, not even a Matt Olson trade could paper over our anger if Brian Cashman decided to pivot to Andrelton Simmons or embedded Red Sox Jose Iglesias, who’ll be great in Boston and terrible everywhere else.

Say it loud. Say it proud. Only Correa or Story will do.

ESPN has worked overtime during the past week or so to lay out the potential pitfalls of a Correa signing so that Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t have to in a press release after he takes a two-year, $70 million deal to stay with the Astros. Too injury prone for someone without that reputation. Too big a body to play shortstop long-term, just like Corey Seager. Too tainted by the Astros scandal (even though MLB worked overtime not to taint him).

Fine. He’s still getting $300 million, and he still doesn’t have many options.

Does that make you uncomfortable? Fine. How about $180 million for Story, he moves to center field (something we don’t have!) in two years, and the Anthony Volpe “Local Boy Makes Good” narrative gets to realize its finest form? We’d take that, too.

We resolve to be angry if the Yankees take half-measures here, though, as it seems like they will.

1. An Aaron Judge Extension

If the Yankees “can’t move on with their offseason” until Aaron Judge is extended, then … extend Aaron Judge!

David Cone was the first prominent voice this offseason to note that, hey, it might be a little uncomfortable for the homegrown superstar entering his walk year to watch the Yankees splashing cash on Carlos Correa or Corey Seager without taking care of him first.

And … noted! The Yankees’ forthcoming Judge extension shouldn’t stop them from entering the rest of the market, but it also makes perfect sense that they wouldn’t want to step on any local toes by going buck wild in free agency without also addressing their best player and the face of the franchise.

In the interest of having as drama-free an offseason as possible whenever this lockout is resolved, we resolve to help out Hal Steinbrenner in any way he requires to make a Judge extension possible. Avoiding nastiness will be huge for us moving forward.

Is it a money problem? It shouldn’t be, but I’m happy to buy another medium soda to take care of an additional $150 donation. It is a long-term worry about Judge’s body breaking down? Fair, but once again, the Yankees should be able to eat that cost with ease. We’re not talking about a $350 million deal here.

If Judge really is your captain, it might be a good idea to empower him that way before an extremely stressful “walk year” that never should’ve arrived. As long as the lockout’s over before Spring Training, a Judge extension should be announced at a surprise press conference on Day 1. Aaron Judge should be a Yankee today, tomorrow, forever.

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